Monday, October 25, 2021
Coup against Prime Minister
The military deposed Sudan’s government
The transitional government is actually supposed to get the north-east African country on the road to democracy. However, military troops now bring about their overthrow and declare a state of emergency. Federal Foreign Minister Maas reacts promptly.
The military in Sudan imposed a state of emergency on the north-east African country. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan also announced the dissolution of the government and the Sovereign Council, which so far led the transition to democracy and which included members of the military as well as civilians. Burhan, who himself was chairman of the council, justified the action by saying that peace and security in Sudan had been endangered.
The military had to act to protect the security of the country. It will continue the democratic transition until power is handed over to a civilian elected government. He announced an election for July 2023. Until then, an independent government should lead Sudan.
The information ministry, which was apparently still controlled by government supporters, had previously spoken of a comprehensive military coup and called on the population to resist. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and most members of the government were apparently arrested.
According to medical experts, violent clashes have occurred during protests against the overthrow of the government. At least twelve people were injured, said a medical committee on Facebook. Details were not given. According to the information ministry, which was apparently still controlled by government supporters, tens of thousands of coup opponents marched onto the streets of the capital, Khartoum. They were exposed to shots near the military headquarters. Television images showed demonstrators making their way across barricades to the military headquarters.
The EU is also “concerned”
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas condemns the attempted coup. “I call on everyone who is responsible for security and state order in Sudan to continue the peaceful political transition process in Sudan towards democracy,” the minister said on Twitter. The differences of opinion would have to be resolved through dialogue. This is owed to the people who fought for an end to the dictatorship in Sudan.
The European Union has called for the “quick release” of the arrested members of the government. The EU is “very concerned” about reports that the army has placed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok under house arrest, said a spokeswoman for European Foreign and Security Representative Josep Borrell in Brussels. “Violence and bloodshed must be avoided,” emphasized the spokeswoman. A democratic Sudan with a fully legitimate civil government remains “the best guarantee for the long-term stability of the country and the region,” she said.