Blinken has telephone conversation with Sudanese prime minister
New episode in Sudan. Military forces continue to control the main positions of power and the country remains in a state of emergency. On this day, the civilian population is expected to take to the streets again, a day after the army repressed peaceful demonstrations calling for the return to a transitional government.
In the wake of the escalating violence, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken held a telephone conversation with Sudan's Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, becoming the first international figure to hold a conversation with Hamdok after his release.
This was confirmed in a statement issued by the State Department affirming the dialogue. In it, the Secretary of State welcomed the fact that the Prime Minister was safe. He also expressed his "grave concern" about the current situation in the country and repeated the imperative for military forces to "exercise restraint and avoid violence in responding to protesters".
Blinken also spoke with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al Saud to "condemn the coup". In the dialogue, the secretary reiterated "the strong support the United States maintains for Sudan's democratic aspirations" and stressed "the need for an immediate restoration of the civilian transitional government".
They also discussed the importance of all parties adhering to the framework of the Constitution and the Juba peace agreement, otherwise international economic support for Sudan would be in jeopardy. The two representatives also discussed other relevant issues related to the bilateral relationship, including human rights.
In addition, this conversation resolved doubts about the state of the prime minister's condition. Until now, the whereabouts of the incumbent, who was kidnapped by military forces along with part of the civilian government, were unknown. According to official statements issued by al-Burhan, "no one kidnapped or assaulted him" and claims that the prime minister "is at his home", under house arrest.
However, this delicate situation has led the African Union to suspend Sudan after expressing its "total rejection" of the new situation in the face of an "unconstitutional change of government". The AU Peace and Security Council has also declared that the suspension, with immediate effect, will remain in force until "the effective restoration of the civilian-led transitional authority", as well as announcing the dispatch of a mission to seek an amicable solution to the current political impasse.
In this context, the State Department and White House security adviser Jake Sullivan have indicated that the Biden administration has been in contact with Sudan's neighbours and other African leaders, such as the President of the Republic of Congo and the leader of the African Union, Felix Tshisekedi, as well as other Gulf states and US allies. According to the department, Blinken has been "working the phone non-stop".
This call comes after the US announced the suspension of $700 million in aid to the country following "anti-democratic actions" by the Sudanese army. According to State Department spokesman Ned Price, the actions committed by the army "subvert" what was agreed in the accords. Price also defended the US action in Sudan, saying that, according to the spokesman, "no country has done more, no country has said more, no country has given more to the people in terms of assistance and humanitarian aid than the United States".
Sudan is in its second consecutive day of protests. General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan's coup d'état has plunged the country into a new wave of violence. Following the military uprising, al-Burhan ordered the dissolution of the military-civilian Sovereignty Council, putting an end to efforts to establish democracy. The civilian population, encouraged by Abdullah Hamdok, decided to take to the streets to demand a return to a transitional government, thus opposing the military takeover.
These protests were violently repressed by the military forces. The toll continues to be devastating: at least 10 people have been killed and 140 injured. In view of this situation, the European Union denounced "the actions of the military as a betrayal of the revolution, the transition and the legitimate demands of the Sudanese people for peace, justice and economic development".
In addition, internet access remains restricted, as does the mobilisation in the main streets. Further civilian protests demanding Hamdok's release and the return to a transitional government are expected to take place today. Right now, the scenario in Sudan is highly worrying. What has happened over the last few days demonstrates the great division in society and the imminent danger of a return to military rule, something that has been established in Sudan for 30 years under Omar Al-Bashir, who is accused of committing multiple war crimes.
