Ethiopia's prime minister has sought to mediate Sudan's political crisis by urging military rulers and civilian opposition to exercise "bravery" in resolving their standoff since the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir.
After flying in from Addis Ababa, Abiy Ahmed held separate talks with both sides on Friday, days after the worst bloodshed since the military ousted Bashir in April to end his three-decade rule.
The opposition, which is demanding civilian government, says 113 people were killed in the storming of a protest camp on Monday and subsequent crackdown. The government put the toll at 61 people, including three security personnel.
After holding talks with Abiy, one member of the opposition's delegation, Mohammad Esmat, was arrested by security forces, sources from his party said. The military council could not immediately be reached for comment.
Abiy made his visit the day after the Ethiopian-headquartered African Union bloc suspended Sudan, backing the opposition's demand for civilian rule.
Abiy was welcomed by Lieutenant General Shams El Din Kabbashi, spokesman for the Transitional Military Council. He later hosted a meeting with the opposition Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces alliance.
"The military and the people and the political forces need to act with bravery and responsibility in taking quick steps to a democratic, reconciliatory transitional period in the country," he said in a statement.
The military council and opposition had been in talks for weeks over who should lead Sudan's transition to democracy. But negotiations collapsed after Monday's violence, with the opposition saying it could not talk to untrustworthy rulers.
Stability in Sudan is crucial for a volatile region struggling against Islamist insurgencies from the Horn of Africa to Egypt and Libya. Various powers, including wealthy Gulf Arab states, are trying to influence its path.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have close ties with the military council, have said they are watching developments with concern and support a renewal of dialogue.
