Sudan: Washington, EU urge military not to unilaterally appoint prime minister
Sudanese people demonstrate against the military regime in Omdurman on January 4, 2022. AFP - -
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The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Norway urged the Sudanese military on Tuesday (January 4) not to unilaterally appoint a prime minister to replace civilian Abdallah Hamdok who resigned on Sunday.
Statements that come after another day of demonstrations against the military regime.
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These countries warn in a joint declaration that they “
will not support a prime minister or an appointed government without the involvement of a large panel of civilian actors
”. "
Any unilateral action to appoint a new prime minister or government would undermine the credibility
" of the transitional institutions "
and risk plunging the country into conflict,
" they added, calling for "
an immediate dialogue led by the Sudanese and facilitated by the international community
”.
For these countries,
the resignation of Abdallah Hamdok
, "
two months after the unconstitutional seizure of power by the army, reinforces the urgent need to see all Sudanese leaders reaffirm their support for the democratic transition
".
"
It must remain a transition led by civilians, not just a transition that includes civilians,
" said US diplomacy spokesman Ned Price at a press conference call.
►
To read also: Sudan: first mobilization since the resignation of the Prime Minister
Western powers continue to defend the democratic transition launched in 2019 after the fall of the autocrat Omar al-Bashir under the pressure of a popular revolt.
But it is increasingly threatened since the putsch led on October 25 by the military, who arrested the Prime Minister before putting him back in the saddle in the face of the insistence of the street and the international community.
But the protest movement called the deal a "
betrayal
" and continued its demonstrations, which ultimately prompted Abdallah Hamdok to throw in the towel last Sunday.
48 hours after his resignation, the demonstrators did not flinch and swear to continue the protest.
"
The resignation of the Prime Minister galvanized us"
Tuesday, they were several thousand to be taken in the streets of the capital, small processions in various districts, the city center of Khartoum being completely cordoned off by the security forces.
And the bridges connecting Khartoum to Ummdurman - the capital's twin city - closed, preventing the demonstrators from converging on the army headquarters.
But the determination of the demonstrators remains intact, assures Dallia, a young activist.
“
The Prime Minister's resignation galvanized us to continue, as now all of our attention is focused on the military.
Previously some called for Hamdok's resignation, now we speak with a voice demanding civilian government.
His resignation may have served to unify the opposition more than ever.
"
The demonstrators demand the dissolution of
the Sovereign Council headed by the head of the army
, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
He probably wants to install his own prime minister believes political scientist Kholood Khair, but that will not work, she adds.
“
Now that we are once again in a logic of revolution, how are we going to move forward?
The most reasonable would be a national dialogue that would bring together all the players, but for that it will take a lot of work to restore confidence.
Because with all this violence, it will be very hard for civilians and soldiers to sit down together at the same table.
"
A task all the more difficult as the resistance committees which are at the heart of the protest have sworn not to negotiate with the military.
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Sudan
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
Abdallah Hamdok