UN demands respect for demonstrators during national day of resistance
Following the coup in Sudan, the democracy movement plans to increase pressure on the new military rulers with a national protest on Saturday. Both the United Nations and the European Union have urged the military to show restraint.
The protesters must be treated with respect, stated European High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell. He also reiterated his call for the release of political prisoners held since the coup.
A national day of resistance has been declared in the African country following last Monday’s military coup. Solidarity rallies are planned in several European capitals. Protests have already taken place on the streets of the capital Khartoum in recent days. Many trade unions are on general strike.
State of emergency
The new ruler in Sudan, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, wants to appoint a new prime minister within the week. A technocrat will soon be appointed as head of government. Before the coup, he and the deposed head of government, Abdullah Hamduk, headed a transitional government, which has now been dissolved. The general also declared a state of emergency.
There is currently great uncertainty about the situation on the ground, as the Internet and many telephone lines are still blocked. The Sudanese news agency, SUNA, has stopped distributing news for the first time since it was founded 60 years ago.
