Khartoum, Sudan - July 17, 2019 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of meeting between Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC), Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) in progress

Washington D.C., USA - July 17, 2019 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
2. SOUNDBITE (English) William Lawrence, professor of political science and international affairs, George Washington University (ending with shots 3-4):
"It's very significant. It's a big first step, but that's all a step as you said. And the devil will be in the details, and we don't have the details yet. For example, we have no idea what the powers of the sovereign council will be. They got stuck several weeks ago over who would be in control. We solved that issue without solving many other issues."

Khartoum, Sudan - July 17, 2019 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
3. Various of representatives walking out of meeting room
4. Various of representatives getting seated, posing for picture

Washington D.C., USA - July 17, 2019 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
5. SOUNDBITE (English) William Lawrence, professor of political science and international affairs, George Washington University (ending with shots 6-7):
"Obviously the constitutional basis and the powers of the sovereign council are a big question, and of course those bodies will name the cabinet, and also there will be a move towards a legislature which are supposed to be controlled by civilians. But how much those bodies have in terms of power depends on what the powers of the sovereign council are, and we have no indication yet what those will be. So again it's a leap forward, but we haven't really seen where this is going or whether it will be something that the protesters can accept."

Khartoum, Sudan - July 17, 2019 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Various of representatives getting seated
7. Various of representatives posing for photos
8. Representatives shaking hands, talking with each other

The political deal signed by Sudan's rival parties on Wednesday represents a significant step forward, though with some issues remaining to be solved, according to an expert in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the opposition Freedom and Change Alliance initialed the Political Declaration, a step towards consensus and institution for the transitional period structures.

The deal stipulates about a three-year transitional period which will lead to government elections. A sovereign council will be established, with six civilians and five military representatives.

William Lawrence, professor of political science and international affairs at the George Washington University, said the declaration is a significant step forward for Sudan, but some issues remain to be resolved.

"It's very significant. It's a big first step, but that's all a step as you said. And the devil will be in the details, and we don't have the details yet. For example, we have no idea what the powers of the sovereign council will be. They got stuck several weeks ago over who would be in control. We solved that issue without solving many other issues," said Lawrence.

Lawrence said the powers of the sovereign council is an important question, as it will determine the powers of other structures.

"Obviously the constitutional basis and the powers of the sovereign council are a big question, and of course those bodies will name the cabinet, and also there will be a move towards a legislature which are supposed to be controlled by civilians. But how much those bodies have in terms of power depends on what the powers of the sovereign council are, and we have no indication yet what those will be. So again it's a leap forward, but we haven't really seen where this is going or whether it will be something that the protesters can accept," he said.

The two sides are still working on a constitutional declaration, which is expected to be signed on Friday and will decide the powers of the sovereign council.