The United Nations, the European Union, the United States and the League of Arab States have expressed their deep concern about the accelerating developments in Sudan, considering that what is happening contravenes the constitutional declaration, amid calls to return the transitional process to the right track.

Earlier on Monday, the Sudanese army arrested Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, most members of his government, and several officials and media workers, amid talk of a military coup being carried out.

The Ministry of Information and Culture said - on its Facebook page - that the Prime Minister was taken to an unknown location after refusing to issue a statement in support of the "coup".

Updates and anticipation

The Sudanese are awaiting a statement on television about the nature of the events taking place in the capital, Khartoum, at dawn today, Monday, and the President of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, is expected to make a statement on the latest developments in the situation.

Volker Peretz, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Sudan, said that the international organization is deeply concerned about reports of a coup in Sudan on Monday and attempts to undermine the political transition process.

He added that "the reported arrests of the prime minister, government officials and politicians are unacceptable," and called on the security forces to immediately release "those who have been illegally arrested or placed under house arrest," and hold them responsible for their safety.

And Peretz added, "I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint. All parties must immediately return to dialogue and participate in good faith to restore constitutional order."

The Sudanese took to the streets to express their rejection of what is happening (European)

Worries and prayers

The European Union also expressed its deep concern over the developments in Sudan, calling for the transitional process to be put back on the right track.

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, said - in a tweet on Twitter - we are following with great concern the events taking place in Sudan.

Borrell added that the EU calls on all stakeholders and regional partners to put the transition process back on track.

He continued, "I urge all parties to exercise the utmost restraint. All parties must immediately return to dialogue and participate in good faith to restore constitutional order."

For its part, the United States of America expressed its deep concern over reports of a "military takeover" of the transitional government in Sudan, saying that this was "contrary to the constitutional declaration."

This came according to what was quoted by the Office of African Affairs of the US State Department, the Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman.

These developments come hours after Feltman announced his optimism that there is a way out of the current crisis in Sudan, following his meeting with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and Chairman of the Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan in the capital, Khartoum.

The Prime Minister was taken to an unknown location after refusing to issue a statement in support of the "coup" (Al Jazeera)

power sharing

As for the League of Arab States, it expressed its concern about the political developments in Sudan, and called for "adherence to the arrangements for the transitional phase", which provides for power-sharing between the military and civilians until general elections are held in the country.

The Secretary-General of the League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said - in a statement - that he was "deeply concerned about the developments in the situation in Sudan" and called on "all Sudanese parties to fully comply" with the power-sharing agreement between the military and civilians signed in August 2019 a few months after the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir, And adherence to the “peace agreement” signed in Juba in 2020 with the armed movements in several Sudanese regions.

For its part, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation called today, Monday, on all Sudanese parties to abide by the constitutional document and what was agreed upon regarding the transitional period.

The organization said - in a statement published on its website today, Monday - that the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is following with concern the developments of the situation in Sudan.

The Secretary-General of the organization, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, stressed that dialogue is the way to overcome differences in order to give priority to the supreme interest of the Sudanese people, and to achieve their aspirations for security, stability, development and prosperity.

Al-Burhan will give a speech on the latest developments in the (European) country.

statement and tension

Al-Burhan intends to make a statement later - today, Monday - on the latest developments in the country.

Following today's developments, crowds of Sudanese took to the streets of the capital, denouncing the series of arrests that targeted Hamdok, ministers of the transitional government, and political leaders from the forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change.

For weeks, tension has been rising between the military and civilian components of the transitional authority, due to criticism directed by military leaders to political forces against the backdrop of thwarting a coup attempt on September 21.

Since August 21, 2019, Sudan has been living a 53-month transitional period that ends with elections in early 2024, and power is shared during this period by the army, civilian forces and armed movements that signed a peace agreement with the government.