Military cannot be trusted with ruling Sudan: U.S. Senator

November 17, 2021 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s military cannot be trusted with the responsibility of ruling Sudan, said U.S. Senator Jim Risch and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Republican senator was reacting to the excessive use of violence by militiamen from the Darfur region against the peaceful protesters in Khartoum state on Wednesday as they shot dead 15 demonstrators, while some 80 were injured.

“Today’s violence and killing of dozens of peaceful protesters by Sudanese security forces is just one in a series of tragic incidents at the hands of Sudanese military leaders, and further proves they cannot, and should not, be trusted with the responsibility of protecting and governing the people of Sudan,” said Risch in a statement released on Wednesday.

“From the genocide in Darfur to the coup of October 25, and now today’s killings, it is past time for the United States to hold Sudan’s military leaders accountable for their atrocities,” he further said.

According to several activists in Khartoum, the security forces used to disperse the protests are mainly formed of the Rapid Support Forces dressed in plain clothes.

The Senator added that the junta violated the constitutional declaration signed with the political and civilian groups of the FFC coalition on 17 August 2019 and seized power on October 25, overthrowing the civilian-led transitional government.

“Congress has spoken clearly to the military junta, the Sudanese people, and the U.S. administration that the only acceptable remedy to this tragic counter-revolutionary action is to restore the transitional government under the leadership of Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok,” he added.

U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Molly Phee posted a tweet where she said saddened by the violence and loss of life today in Sudan.

“We condemn violence towards peaceful protestors and call for the respect and protection of human rights in Sudan,” she added.

(ST)