UN envoy expresses concern over ongoing political crisis in Sudan

 

Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sudan, on Monday expressed concern over the ongoing political crisis and civilian casualties in street protests in the country.

The envoy said in a statement that he “remains concerned by the ongoing political crisis which risks further derailing progress made since the December revolution.”

He said he was “deeply concerned by the number of civilians killed and injured in the context of the ongoing protests.”

Perthes urged the security forces to abide by their obligations under international law and strictly uphold the rights of protestors to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, saying that perpetrators of violence must be brought to justice.

The UN envoy also regretted the resignation of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok on Sunday.

However, the envoy voiced respect for Hamdok’s decision and commended the accomplishments made under his leadership, during the first phase of the transitional period.

On Monday, Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan stressed the need to form an independent government with the consent of all the Sudanese people after Abdalla Hamdok resigned.

Al-Burhan stressed the need to achieve the tasks of the transitional period with the top priority of realizing peace and security and conducting elections in the country.

Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after Al-Burhan, also General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and government.

On November 21, Al-Burhan and the then removed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok signed a political declaration, which included reinstating the latter as Prime Minister, but the deal has so far failed to calm the street.