Most of Sudan’s cabinet has been arrested in what is now commonly perceived as a coup in Sudan. France 24 was first to report that the Sudan PM Abdala Hamdok, who has been detained for refusing to join the cup has urged Sundanese to “defend the revolution”.
The events come after the current government foiled a military coup attempt in the nation last month.
Hamdok is reported to be under house arrest and urging citizens to protest peacefully, Sudan's information ministry posted on Facebook. The source also reported that the army has taken the PM to an unknown location.
“Joint military forces have stormed the TV and radio headquarters in Omdurman and detained a number of staff,” the ministry said moments after the events took place. The Internet was shut down in the country although leaked imaged circulating on social media showed angry crows burning tires in the streets.
Josep Borrell, who is the European Union foreign policy chief immediately took to his Twitter account and called for engagement from all stakeholders.
Sudan has been going through a difficult transition from the military coup in 2019 that ousted president Omar-al-Bashar from power.
The military coup could have devastating implications on the nation's transition process and the democracy of the nation. The September coup already punctured holes in the transition process revealing the deep mistrust between the civilian and military authorities sharing power. The coup was described by Sudanese authorities as an attempt by military forces still loyal to the former president Omar to disrupt the transition process.
Questions have been asked regarding the reasons for the PMs refusal to support the coup. Whilst it is not clear why, the PM being heavily invested with expertise from having worked global financial institutions, understands the impact of a coup on the nations trade and relations with the rest of the world. A coup causes uncertainty to both business owners, customers and institutional stakeholders with a deep interest in the country. The African Union has shunned coups in Africa although the institutions authority in punishing nations that cross the red line seem precarious.
The transitional government composed of both military and civilian figures has already taken strides in normalizing relations with the international community which was meant to eliminate its global pariah status. The efforts could go in smoke with the ongoing coup leading to international isolation, a cut in funding and Aid, and a possible refugee exodus to neighboring countries in fear of military rule.
The events further reveal the deep-rooted fractures in key institutions across predominantly north and central Africa. They further deepen the ongoing tension between the civilians and the military, a tug of war that could degenerate into political violence with long terms human rights ramifications.