Sudan’s protest leaders and ruling generals have resumed negotiations over forming a new governing body, the first such talks since a deadly crackdown on demonstrators last month, AFP said.

African Union and Ethiopian mediators called on the two sides on Tuesday to resume long stalled talks on a transition to civilian rule - the main demand of demonstrators who have rallied against the generals for weeks.

Negotiations collapsed in May over the make-up of the governing body and who should lead it - a civilian or a soldier. On Wednesday, the talks reportedly resumed in Khartoum, between three generals from the ruling military council and five protest leaders.