Military takeover in Sudan is “unacceptable”: US Feltman
October 25, 2021 (KHARTOUM) – Jeffrey Feltman U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa condemned the military takeover, saying it was “unacceptable”.
“The U.S. is deeply alarmed at reports of a military take-over of the transitional government, said Feltman in a statement on Monday after the arrest of senior civilian members and political leaders of the ruling Forces.
The envoy who is still in Khartoum added that this development violates the Constitutional Declaration before saying it is “utterly unacceptable”.
He underscored they had warned that “any changes to the transitional government by force put at risk U.S. assistance”.
Feltman held a series of meetings on Sunday with the Sudanese leaders including Prime Minister Hamdok, Head of the Sovereign Council al-Burhan, his deputy Hemetti as well as some cabinet members and Darfur Governor.
In a statement released on Sunday after the meetings, he urged the two civilian and military components to work cooperatively to implement key transitional benchmarks on clear timelines, including establishing the Transitional Legislative Council; agreeing on the date to transfer the chair of the Sovereign Council to a civilian.
Several sources confirmed that al-Burhan refused Feltman’s proposal to establish the transitional council instead he insisted on the need to prioritize the dissolution of the current cabinet and to form a new cabinet including political forces that were part of the former regime.
Al-Burhan is expected to speak to the Sudanese people on Sunday to explain the arrest of senior government officials political leaders, restriction of Internet access and closure of main roads and bridges in Khartoum.
(ST