Sudanese military’s actions “will have consequences” says U.S. Phee

January 24, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – U.S. Assistant Secretary for Africa Molly Phee Monday said that the continued bloody violence against protesters and violation of human rights in Sudan would have consequences.

The security authorities killed three people on Monday in a bid to end the anti-coup protests that have started on October 25. The death toll has risen to 76.

In reaction to the bloody repression of protesters on Monday, Phee said the Sudanese military leaders pledged publicly to resolve the current crisis through dialogue after a meeting she and Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa David Satterfield had with them on January 20.

“Yet their actions –more violence against protestors, detention of civil society activists- tell a different story and will have consequences,” Phee stressed.

The head of the Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had already promised to the former Special Envoy for Africa Jeffrey Feltman, hours before to the coup of October 25, 2021 to reach a compromise with the former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

Biden administration is under mounting pressure from the Congress to get results on the human rights violations and the restoration of a civilian-led transitional government.

In a statement on Sudan independence day, Antony Blinken U.S. Secretary of State warned that his administration would take measures against “those who block” the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a civilian-led, democratic government.

He requested to stop the use of deadly force and to make a rapid progress on forming a credible cabinet, establishing a legislative assembly, forming judicial and electoral bodies, and transferring leadership of the Sovereign Council.

(ST)