Leader: Sudan's army will withdraw to allow for civilian governance

  General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan's armed forces, has declared that the army will make way for a civilian administration.

In an address that was broadcast on television, he declared that the military would support efforts to hold elections and would not obstruct the transition to democracy.

He declared that the military's role in the negotiations to end the nation's political crisis would be taken up by civil society organizations.

However, General Burhan omitted to provide a timetable for when the handover will take place.

It is a significant concession from the army, which has been under increasing pressure from Sudan's frequent pro-democracy protests.

The army seized power in a coup last October after ousting the civilian-led government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

General Burhan has previously reneged on a commitment to a democratic transition.

Earlier the authorities freed 145 activists who had been detained during protests on 30 June.

More than 100 people have been killed since the military coup in October.