The United Nations has welcomed the lifting of the state of emergency in Sudan, describing it as an important?step to create a conducive environment for direct, intra-Sudanese talks?to end?the political crisis in the country.
On Sunday, the head of the Sovereign Council Lt Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan lifted the state of emergency imposed on October 25, 2022, as part of the confidence building measures for an intra-Sudanese dialogue process facilitated by the UN, African Union and the regional bloc (IGAD).
“We encourage the authorities to complete the release of political detainees,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, adding that “We continue to call on them to fully respect the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression”.
The official, however, urged stakeholder in Sudan to engage in constructive dialogue?in good faith?to find a way out of this crisis.
He assured that the trilateral mechanism consisting of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), AU and IGAD will continue to work collaboratively to help facilitate a Sudanese owned and led solution and to find a way to end the political impasse in Sudan.
Separately, the European Union commended the lifting of the state of emergency in the country and the release of detainees, describing it as first steps in creating the much needed conducive environment for dialogue.
“We also welcome the decision to allow the Al Jazeera Mubasher channel to resume its operations in Sudan. Time is of the essence for Sudan’s efforts to find an inclusive and sustainable way out of the current crisis, which is severely affecting the population,” the EU said in a statement on Tuesday.
The EU urged authorities to continue their efforts to create a truly conducive environment for dialogue, by completing the release of those who were detained since 25 October last, ensuring due process to those detainees who face criminal charges against them and effectively ending the violence against peaceful demonstrators, allowing them to enjoy their basic human rights of assembly and expression.
“It is crucial for alleged violations of human rights to be investigated and for perpetrators to be held to account,” further stressed the statement.
The European body called upon all the parties in Sudan to engage actively and constructively in the dialogue efforts, facilitated by the tripartite initiative of UNITAMS, AU and IGAD, while pledging its full support for the support.
Source: Sudan Tribune