Sudanese military arrest PM, overthrow government in coup

by ian

Ian Patrick, FISM News

 

The government of Sudan was overthrown early Monday as the military arrested multiple officials including Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and set in place a state of emergency.

The general of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is in charge of the Sudanese armed forces, announced the emergency and that the military would oversee elections to take place in July 2023. “What the country is going through now is a real threat and danger to the dreams of the youth, and the hopes of the nation to build a nation whose features are starting to emerge,” he said.

The Sovereign Council, a power-sharing ruling body in Sudan, has been suspended along with the previous transitional government. The Prime Minister has been moved to an undisclosed location following his arrest.

Images of Hamdok’s supposed arrest have surfaced on social media, as well as reports of internet blackouts due to the coup itself.

Shortly after the detainments, the office of the Prime Minister asked for Sudanese citizens opposed to the coup to protest in the streets. A document from Hamdok’s office called the military “thieves” and asked the people to “take back their revolution,” according to reporting from Al Jazeera.

Civilians heeded the call for protests and spilled into the streets of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. The demonstrations resulted in at least 2 deaths and over 80 civilian injuries according to local medics. Demonstrators blocked bridges and roadways while lighting bonfires in protest of the coup.

The Sudanese government was in a transitional period after ousting long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir two years ago. The temporary government was meant to guide Sudan to a democratic process with civilian elections. Now in charge, the military claims they will hand the government over as soon as a democratic election takes place.

World nations and organizations alike condemned the move from the military. The United Nations Secretary General António Guterres called for Hamdok’s immediate release and the return of the transitional government.

The EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell released a statement which called for the right for citizens to peacefully protest. He also said the coup displays “a betrayal of the revolution, the transition, and the legitimate requests of the Sudanese people for peace, justice and economic development.”

The United Kingdom also condemned the move, with the British Minister for Africa Vicky Ford calling it “an unacceptable betrayal” of the people.

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