Washington suspends $700 million in aid to Sudan
The United States of America announced the suspension of financial aid to Sudan of 700 million dollars.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement that "the United States strongly condemns the actions of the Sudanese military forces."
State Department spokesman Ned Price stressed that "power must be returned to the civilian-led transitional government that represents the will of the people."
"In light of recent developments, the United States is suspending its assistance" to support the Sudanese economy, he said.
He added that the aid that was suspended is an economic package of 700 million dollars earmarked to support the democratic transition process in Sudan.
"We are putting that amount on hold in full," Price said.
Price affirmed the United States' stand with the Sudanese people, saying that "the people of Sudan have clearly expressed their aspirations to continue the transitional process towards democracy, and we will continue to support this, including by holding accountable those responsible for these anti-democratic measures, if necessary."
Price indicated that the United States did not know in advance of the army's intention to overthrow Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, who had been arrested, pointing out that it was unable to communicate with him.
Earlier, Washington's special envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman, who visited Sudan, said that his country is "deeply concerned about reports of the army's control of the transitional government," noting that this "contradicts the constitutional declaration (which sets the framework for the transitional process) and the aspirations of Sudanese people for democracy.
The US State Department spokesman said Washington has "not been in contact" with the Sudanese prime minister or any other political officials since their arrest.
He stressed that "the army is responsible for their safety, health and conditions," stressing that Washington "will be held accountable" in this regard.
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