Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed called for a “rapid” democratic transition in Sudan, during a visit to Khartoum as part of mediation efforts between the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the opposition forces. Ahmed presented the details of an African initiative that found a conditional response from both parties. In a statement, the Ethiopian PM called on the army and the political forces to assume their responsibilities and take quick steps towards a democratic and consensual transitional period in the country. The TMC said it was ready to negotiate. According to the Sudanese news agency, the head of the Council, Lt. Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, said the TMC was open to negotiation at any time. The forces of freedom and change also expressed their acceptance of mediation on specific terms. The Ethiopian prime minister is launching the mediation in his capacity as the current Chairman of the African Union’s Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). In a statement, he said he held meetings with the parties to the crisis, beginning with a delegation from the TMC, Al-Burhan, followed by a meeting with a delegation from the alliance of freedom and change and other political forces. Ahmed called for a “rapid democratic transition in Sudan” and urged the army, security forces and political parties to stop exchanging accusations during the coming period in order to build confidence. “The Sudanese army and the security system should center their efforts to defend the sovereignty of the homeland and its sanctity and the security of citizens… while the political forces should focus on the future of the country,” he said in the statement. The Ethiopian prime minister asked the African Union’s envoy to Sudan, Mohamed El Hassan Labbat, and his special adviser, Brier Mahmoud, to work together on the mediation. Ahmed said that structural economic and social reforms must be given sufficient attention, pointing out to the need to find a new approach to good governance. In a statement, the opposition forces said they “accepted the mediation of the Ethiopian prime minister in principle,” provided that the TMC acknowledges the crimes committed during the raid on the main protest site and the formation of an international commission of inquiry. In addition, they demanded the release of the political prisoners and prisoners of war, ensuring public freedom and the media freedom, withdrawing troops deployed in the streets across Sudan and lift the ban on Internet service. On a different note, the representatives of the three African countries in the Security Council - South Africa, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast - called on the TMC to return to dialogue in order to respond quickly to the legitimate aspirations of the Sudanese people, in accordance with the African Union initiative. During an emergency session on Sudan on Thursday, the representatives of the three countries that hold non-permanent seats on the Security Council and the representative of the African Union Commission to the United Nations spoke of the severe tragedy, regretting the loss of life. In this regard, they reminded the transitional authority of its commitment to protect civilians and respect their rights.