By No. 1 Citizen and Agencies
Sudan’s top general said on Tuesday that the country’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was “at my home” a day after his reported detention by soldiers during a widely condemned military coup, several news agencies reported.
“Yes, we arrested ministers and politicians, but not all” of them, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan told a news conference in Khartoum, adding that Hamdok was “in good health” and would “return home when the crisis is over”.
He said Hamdok is being kept away “for his own safety.”
Gen. Burhan was quoted by CGTN saying distrust between transition partners began after the Juba peace agreement and the decision to oust the government of Abdalla Hamdok was taken in order to avoid civil war, accusing political forces of incitement against armed forces.
The armed forces gave “all possible concessions possible” to meet the expectations of Sudanese people regarding a civilian government, said Burhan.
He added that a prime minister will be appointed and a sovereign council and cabinet will be formed but with real representation from all states.
Gen Burhan said the military seized power on Monday to prevent “civil war”.
“The dangers we witnessed last week could have led the country into civil war,” he told a news conference.
Gen Burhan had dissolved civilian rule, arrested political leaders and called a state of emergency as political groups had been inciting civilians against the security forces.
Condemnation
The coup has drawn global condemnation. The US, the UK, EU, UN and African Union, of which Sudan is a member, have all demanded the release of all arrested political leaders which includes members of Mr Hamdok’s cabinet.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for the immediate release of Sudan’s prime minister, who was detained in a military coup.
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok “must be released immediately,” Guterres said as the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the putsch in Sudan.
According to Associated Press, Guterres said “geopolitical divides” were preventing the Security Council from taking strong measures as countries around the world grapple with the pandemic and social and economic problems.
“These factors are creating an environment in which some military leaders feel that they have total impunity, they can do whatever they want because nothing will happen to them,” Guterres said.
“My appeal is for especially the big powers to come together for the unity of the Security Council in order to make sure that there is effective deterrence in relation with this epidemic of coups d’etat,” he said.
Protest
Protests have continued for a second day in the capital, Khartoum, with roads, bridges and shops closed. Phone and internet links are also disrupted, according to the BBC.
At least 10 people are reported to have been killed since the unrest began.
Since Monday, troops are reported to have been going house to house in Khartoum arresting local protest organizers.
The city’s airport is closed and international flights are suspended.
Staff at the country’s central bank have reportedly gone on strike, and across the country doctors are said to be refusing to work in military run hospitals except in emergencies.
Civilian leaders and their military counterparts have been at odds since long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in 2019.
An agreement between civilian and military leaders was designed to steer Sudan towards democracy but has proven fragile with a number of previous coup attempts, the last just over a month ago.
Gen Burhan, who was head of the power-sharing council, said Sudan was committed to the transition to civilian rule, with elections planned for July 2023.