U.S. pauses $700m support to democratic transition in Sudan

October 25, 2021 (WASHINGTON) – The United States has suspended $700 million of economic support to democratic transition in Sudan, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday.

In a statement issued by the State Department, Blinken “strongly” condemned the military takeover by General Abdel Fatah al-Burhan. Also, he rejected the dissolution of the civilian-led transitional government’s institutions and called for their restoration.

“In light of these developments, the United States is immediately pausing the delivery of $700 million in emergency Economic Support Funds to Sudan,” he announced.

He underscored that this fund was intended to support the country’s democratic transition, and pledged to assess further measures in the future.

U.S. officials recently had warned that any coup de force against the transitional government would put at risk U.S. assistance to Sudan.

The United States is “working closely and on an urgent basis with our partners to chart a common diplomatic approach to address these actions and to prevent them from leading to further instability in Sudan and the region,” he stressed.

Troika condemns

In a separate statement, Troika countries condemned the suspensions of the transitional government and detention of Prime Minister Hamdok other members of the civilian leadership.

The U.S., Norway and the U.K. further called to immediately release those they have “unlawfully detained”.

They further said pledged to continue supporting pro-democracy forces in Sudan stressing it represents the best guarantee for long-term stability in Sudan and the region.

“We reject this attempt to derail the transition toward democratic elections and call for the immediate restoration of the civilian-led government on the basis of the Constitutional Declaration and other foundational documents of the transition,”. they emphasized.

(ST)