The African Union (AU) said Wednesday that it suspended Sudan from all its activities until civilian rule in the country was restored after the country’s military overthrew the civilian-led transitional government in a coup.
The African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security (AUPSC) in a tweet on Wednesday said “AUPSC decides to suspend the participation of the Republic of Sudan in all AU activities until the effective restoration of the civilian-led Transitional Authority; Welcomes the release of the PM; Calls for the immediate release of the ministers & civilian officials in detention.”
The continental bloc further condemned the forceful seizure of power.
The AU had in 2019 suspended Sudan’s membership after pro-democracy protesters demanding civilian rule were gunned down outside army headquarters in Khartoum.
Three months later the membership was reinstated.
The United States of America and the World Bank also suspended aid to Sudan following the widely condemned military takeover.
Sudan’s top general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Monday dissolved the government and declared a state of emergency, sparking widespread international condemnation and more protests.
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was placed under military arrest, along with his ministers and civilian members of Sudan’s ruling council, sparking angry protests on the streets of Khartoum.
Hamdok was later released under close guard, but other ministers and civilian leaders remain in detention.
Protests continued yesterday despite the security forces’ violent response, barricading roads with burning tyres, and main roads remained closed.
A group of neighborhood committees in Khartoum announced on Wednesday plans for further protests, leading to what it said would be a “march of millions” on Saturday.
Source: Radio Tamazuj