Sudan general announces ‘competent’ government after state of emergency

Sudan‘s top army general on Monday announced a state of emergency across the country after ordering the arrest of acting prime minister Abdalla Hamdok. In a televised address, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan said the country’s ruling Sovereign Council had been dissolved and a new technocrat government would replace the one led by Hamdok. General Burhan said the military intervention had been prompted by bickering among political factions and assured a democratic transition of power.

Visuals showed security forces using tear gas to disrupt protests in capital, Khartoum, and its twin city of Omdurman against the military takeover.

Protesters could be heard chanting, “The people are stronger, stronger” and “Retreat is not an option!”

The Sudanese Doctors Committee said at least 12 protesters had been injured.

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The apparent coup comes less than a month before Burhan was set to hand the leadership of the Sovereign Council, which has run the country since shortly after al-Bashir’s ouster. The council comprised both military and civilian members.

The United States and the European Union expressed concern over Monday’s developments.

Jeffrey Feltman, the US special envoy to the Horn of Africa, said Washington was “deeply alarmed” by the developments in Sudan.  EU foreign affairs chief Joseph Borrell tweeted that he’s following events with the “utmost concern.”

The African Union demanded release of all Sudanese political leaders including Hamdok. “Dialogue and consensus is the only relevant path to save the country and its democratic transition,” said Moussa Faki, the head of the AU commission.

Sudan’s Information Ministry earlier on Monday confirmed the arrest of Hamdok and several senior government figures. Their whereabouts were unknown, the ministry said in a Facebook post.

Hamdok’s office said in a statement on Facebook that he and his wife were detained early Monday as part of a “complete coup.”

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Internet access was shut and the country’s state news channel played patriotic traditional music. At one point, military forces stormed the offices of Sudan’s state-run television in Omdurman and detained a number of workers, the Information Ministry said.

Tensions have been mounting between Sudan’s civilian and military leaders after a failed coup attempt in September, with General Burhan warning last month that the military will hand over power only to a government elected by the Sudanese people.