Sudanese say prepared to protest against al-Burhan’s participation in UNGA
September 12, 2022 (WASHINGTON) – Sudanese Diaspora in the United States vowed to protest against the participation of the head of the Sovereign Council in the meetings of the UN General Assembly this month.
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is expected to participate in the 77th UN General Assembly, which will take place from September 13 to 27.
The Sudanese government did not officially announce his travel to New York but several official sources confirmed al-Burhan’s participation, despite the coup of October 2021, and the unlawful killing and bloody repression against peaceful protesters.
The Vice President of the Sudanese community in Washington, Khalil Ibrahim, revealed to Sudan Tribune that they have filed a petition to the U.S. administration and Congress to deny entry visa for al-Burhan to attend the 77th UN General Assembly due to the overthrow of a legitimate civilian government and grave violations of human rights against peaceful protesters.
Meanwhile, a Sudanese journalist based in the United States, Salah Shuaib, confirmed that Sudanese activists are prepared to protest against al-Burhan’s upcoming visit to New York for the UN meetings.
Shuaib added that Sudanese political and civil society groups as well as U.S. human rights organizations are preparing to demonstrate at the United Nations and the premises of the Sudanese mission in New York, as well as the place of residence of Burhan, to express their rejection of his visit.
“Sudanese in the U.S. want to voice their anger at the military coup and take advantage of this occasion to remind the international community of its moral obligations to restore civilian rule and protect the December revolution,” he said.
Al-Burhan, during his visit, is expected to seek meetings with world leaders to explain his coup de forces against the internally supported civilian government. Until now, sources say he would meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Speaking to Al-Jazeera Channel on Sunday about al-Burhan participation at the UN annual meeting, Cameron Hudson, a senior associate in the Africa Program at the CSIS stated that al-Burhan participation at UN General Assembly would represent an international recognition that the army is the sole authority in Sudan.
“Interesting that the AU has suspended Sudan but the coup leader is welcome in New York on an even bigger stage,” Hudson added in a separate tweet posted on the same day.
On Tuesday 13 September, the UN Security Council will discuss a regular report by Secretary-General António Guterres on the political situation in Sudan eleven months after the coup d’etat.
In his report, Guterres already called on al-Burhan to hand over power to civilians.
(ST)