U.S. Blinken urges Sudanese military to reestablish civilian-led transition

December 18, 2021 (KHARTOUM) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on the military to respond to the demand of Sudanese people for a civilian-led government.

After the military takeover on October 25, Washington suspended its economic support to Sudan and called on the coup leaders to reestablish the civilian-led transitional government.

The Commander-in-chief of the Sudanese army overlooked his call and reiterated his determination to build up a military-controlled government based on a new political declaration involving his allied armed group.

In a statement on the 3rd anniversary of the Sudanese revolution in 2019, Blinken saluted the “great courage” of Sudanese to achieve their aspiration for a democratic regime. He added that now after the coup they continue to take to the street against the “unconstitutional” takeover.

“The United States stands in solidarity with their calls for a civilian-led transition, which is the only pathway to a stable, just, prosperous, and peaceful Sudan,” he stated.

“We urge Sudan’s political and military leaders to respond to these calls by putting the interests of the country above their own and by recommitting to the spirit of the 2019 Constitutional Declaration through demonstrable action,” he further emphasized.

Blinken, also, called again to lift the state of emergency and release the political prisoners detained after the coup d’état including journalists and activists.

“Those responsible for the use of excessive force against civilians should be held accountable,” he added.

On Saturday, some 40 entities and civil society groups in Sudan held a meeting in Khartoum to announce the establishment of the Council of Political Declaration Partners, in support of the Hamdok-Burhan agreement.

Almost if not all the signatory groups were obviously formed recently as they are not known of have established activity.

(ST)