Sudan’s FFC reject talks with the coup leaders, call to restore civilian-led transition
November 10, 2021 (KHARTOUM) – The coalition of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) Wednesday reiterated its refusal to negotiate with the coup leaders in Sudan and renewed calls for the restoration of the transitional government and its Prime Minister Hamdok.
Following a military coup on October 25, African and Arab delegations arrived in Khartoum and urged the coup leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to restore the transitional government.
Also, International diplomats in Khartoum and the special representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations sought to convince him to reverse this step, in vain.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FFC affirmed its rejection of the coup and the resulting measures and stressed its adherence to the constitutional declaration governing the transitional period.
“We declare our total rejection of negotiations with the putschists, the inevitability of a return to the situation before October 25, 2021, and the return of the legitimate civilian government to carry out its duties under the leadership of the legitimate Prime Minister, Dr Abdullah Hamdok,” reads the statement.
“Also, we declare our adherence to the Constitutional Document”.
The FFC’s position contrasts with a proposition recently made by the Sudanese Professional Association calling to adopt a new constitutional declaration ending any partnership with the military component.
After the coup, General al-Burhan says he is committed to the Constitutional Document and the transition towards an elected government but also speaks about broad government beyond the FFC groups.
In addition, he appointed a number of new officials in vital institutions, in order to consolidate his grip on power. Observers say they are concerned by these new appointees who are linked to the former Islamist regime in Sudan.
Also, the Popular Congress Party, an Islamist party that was allied to a-Bashir, held a press conference in Khartoum to denounce the return of the banned National Congress Party (NCP) to power.
The FFC said they did not meet Prime Minister who is under house arrest and did not meet the putschists and hailed Hamdok’s position rejecting to lead any government imposed by the military.
“Our position is clear and unambiguous. There is no negotiation or compromise with the coup leaders, and we commend the solid position of Prime Minister Hamdok,” they stressed.
They further said they would name spokespeople abroad who will be announced soon, due to the increasing repression and systematic arrests in the country.
In a bid to prevent quelling protests and calls for a general strike, the security services arrested hundreds of political activists as many political leaders say their movements have been monitored by security agents.
The coalition expressed its full support for the protests announced by the Sudanese Professional Association and the Resistance Committees on 13 and 17 November.
(ST)