Sudan’s PM Hamdok arrested after ‘resisting coup’
The ministry said on Monday that Hamdok called on the Sudanese people to “defend their revolution”.
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There were reports of the arrest of five other senior government figures, including Industry Minister Ibrahim al-Sheikh, Information Minister Hamza Baloul, and Mohammed al-Fiky Suliman, member of the country’s ruling transitional body, known as the Sovereign Council, as well as Faisal Mohammed Saleh, a media adviser to Hamdok.
Ayman Khalid, governor of the state containing the capital, Khartoum, was also arrested, according to the official Facebook page of his office.
Sudan has been on edge since a failed coup plot last month unleashed bitter recriminations between military and civilian groups meant to be sharing power following the toppling of the country’s longtime leader Omar al-Bashir.
Al-Bashir was removed after months of street protests in 2019, and a political transition agreed upon after his removal was meant to lead to elections by the end of 2023.
Here are the latest updates:
Arab League expresses ‘deep concern’ over Sudan
The Arab League has released a statement of “deep concern” about the apparent military coup in Sudan.
The Secretary-General of the 22-member bloc, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, urged all parties to “fully abide” by the constitutional declaration signed in August 2019, which had aimed to pave the way for a transition to civilian rule and democratic elections.
“There are no problems that cannot be resolved without dialogue,” Aboul Gheit said. “It is important to respect all decisions and agreements that were decided upon … refraining from any measures that would disrupt the transitional period and shake stability in Sudan.”
UN says detention of Sudan civilian leaders ‘unacceptable’
The United Nations has said that Sudanese security forces’ detention of civilian leaders including PM Abdalla Hamdok was “unacceptable”.
“I am deeply concerned about reports of an ongoing coup and attempts to undermine Sudan’s political transition. The reported detentions of the Prime Minister, government officials, and politicians are unacceptable,” said Volker Perthes, UN special representative to Sudan.
“I call on the security forces to immediately release those who have been unlawfully detained or placed under house arrest,” he said in a statement on Twitter.
Anti-military protesters burn tyres to block a road in 60th Street in the capital Khartoum [AFP]Sudanese ex-rebel leader Yasir Arman arrested
The deputy chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), Yasir Arman, was arrested from his home, his Twitter account says.
Arman was an advisor to Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok after his armed group signed a peace deal in 2020 with transitional authorities and promised to integrate within the army.
EU voices ‘grave’ concern over Sudan upheaval
The European Union has expressed grave concern about a possible military takeover under way in Sudan.
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter that he’s following events in the northeast African nation with the “utmost concern”.
“The EU calls on all stakeholders and regional partners to put back on track the transition process,” Borrell wrote.
Soldiers storm Sudan state broadcaster HQ: ministry
Soldiers has stormed the headquarters of Sudan’s state broadcaster and detained some employees, the information ministry says, as part of what it has called a “coup”.
“Joint military forces have stormed the TV and radio headquarters in Omdurman and detained a number of staff,” the ministry said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Sudan’s information ministry urges military to free detainees
Sudan is facing a full military coup, the information ministry has said, urging the immediate release of all detainees.
The Sudanese people should try to stop the military’s efforts to block democratic transition, it added in a statement to Reuters news agency.
“We invite everyone to continue the march until the coup attempt is brought down,” it said.
Protesters march against detentions by the army of members of Sudan’s government [AFP]Army blocks roads, restricts telecommunications
Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said “telecommunications access has been restricted” in the country “so it’s very hard to communicate with people here”.
“The military has also blocked all roads and bridges leading into Khartoum city. We’ve seen soldiers blocking access and they are telling us these are the orders they got,” she said.
“They are saying access to Khartoum city is to be restricted, and this is raising concern because that’s where the government institutions are, that’s where the presidential palace and the prime minister’s offices are located.”
Hamdok being held in unknown location
Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was moved to an unknown location after refusing to issue a statement in support of a continuing military coup, the information ministry said.
Joint military forces holding Hamdok under house arrest were pressuring him to issue a supportive statement, the information ministry said earlier on Monday.
It cited Hamdok calling on the Sudanese people to resist the coup attempt peacefully and “defend their revolution”.
Hamdok called on the people to ‘defend their revolution’, according to the information ministry [Ashraf Shazly/AFP]