World leaders express shock, condemn military coup in Sudan
World leaders have expressed shock and condemned the military coup in Sudan, where soldiers on Monday arrested members of a transitional government meant to guide the country to democracy.
Reuters reports that the U.S. government said it was “deeply alarmed” by reports of a military takeover, which is contrary to the will of Sudan’s people, the White House said.
“We reject the actions by the military and call for the immediate release of the prime minister and others who have been placed under house arrest,” said White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre.
Reacting on Twitter, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres wrote,
“I condemn the ongoing military coup in Sudan. Prime Minister Hamdok and all other officials must be released immediately.
“There must be full respect for the constitutional charter to protect the hard-won political transition.
“The UN will continue to stand with the people of Sudan.”
The Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed deep concern about the developments in Sudan.
In a statement, the league called on “all Sudanese parties to fully abide by the constitutional document signed in August 2019 with the involvement of the international community and the Arab League, as well as the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement.”
Also, the African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said Sudan’s political leaders should be released and human rights respected.
“The Chairperson calls for the immediate resumption of consultations between civilians and military.…
“The Chairperson reaffirms that dialogue and consensus is the only relevant path to save the country and its democratic transition,” Mahamat said in a statement.
“We call on the security forces to immediately release those they have unlawfully detained,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement.(Reuters)
