NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: News reports from around the world are on the internet regarding a military coup in Sudan today. The first report I saw online this morning was published at 5:03 am GMT UK by BBC News Africa Live entitled 'Soldiers besiege Sudan PM's house' (see copy here below). I then re-visited BBC News UK online and saw stomach churning confirmation that Sudan's Prime Minister Hamdok and his cabinet have been arrested and the government dissolved.
I'll spend today reading as many news reports as I can in order to compile a list for posting here at a later date. This sad news has brought tears to my eyes. As if the world isn't already in a bad enough state, this terrible news adds heavily to its sadness and woes. I fear that getting humanitarian aid into countries such as Sudan could be delayed due to a recent disruption in the global supply chain amidst a worldwide coronavirus pandemic.
All I can think of to say right now is God bless and help the people of Sudan and South Sudan, keep them and PM Hamdok and his family and colleagues safe and well. You will all be in my nightly prayers. Love and Peace. x
______________________________________
Copy of news report at LIVE Africa news updates
By BBC World Service Africa
Dated Monday 25 October 2021, 5:03 am GMT UK
Title: Soldiers besiege Sudan PM's house - reports
Image credit: AFP Copyright AFP. The Sudan PM is reportedly under house arrest (BBC)
Reports are coming in of a possible coup attempt in Sudan.
Local media say unidentified military forces have besieged the home of Prime Minister, Abdallah Hamdok.
Al Hadath TV reports that troops have arrested four cabinet ministers and one civilian member of the transitional government - the Sovereign Council - citing unidentified sources.
Citing family sources, the Reuters news agency also reports that solders stormed the home of the prime minister's media adviser and arrested him early on Monday.
The Sudanese professionals association has called on the people to take to the streets to resist any military coup.
It comes amid reports of an interruption in internet services.
On Thursday, tens of thousands of people demonstrated in the capital, Khartoum, to show solidarity with the transitional government.
Some sections of the military and their supporters have been seeking to disband it.
Sudan has previously had 15 coups - five of them successful. The most recent was in 2019 with the removal of Omar al-Bashir as head of state following months of popular protest.
Source - BBC World Service Africa Live Reporting:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-47639452
______________________________________
Copy of news report at LIVE Africa news updates
By BBC World Service Africa
Dated Monday 25 October 2021, 11:22 am GMT UK
BREAKING
Sovereign Council dissolved - Burhan
Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan - the head of Sudan's Sovereign Council - just gave a speech announcing a state of emergency. He also dissolved the Sovereign Council that was overseeing the transition to civilian rule, as well as the dissolution of cabinet.
Source - BBC World Service Africa Live Reporting:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-47639452
______________________________________
Copy of BBC News co uk report online
Dated Monday 25 October 2021, 1pm GMT UK
Title: Sudan coup: A really simple guide
The coup taking place in Sudan, where the prime minister and his cabinet have been arrested and the government dissolved, is the latest crisis in a turbulent period for the country.
On top of the political tensions, Sudan's economy has been in a deep economic crisis, with high inflation and shortages of food, fuel and medicine.
The coup has alarmed many international powers who have only recently been forging relations with Sudan after years of isolation.
Here is what you need to know.
What's the background to the coup?
Military and civilian leaders have been sharing power since August 2019 after Sudan's long-term authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown.
Mr al-Bashir was toppled by the military but mass street demonstrations demanding civilian rule forced the military to negotiate a plan aimed at moving to a democratic government.
The country is now supposed to be in that transition with civilians and military leaders running the country together on a joint committee known as the Sovereign Council.
But the two groups have been publicly at odds.
What's behind the tension?
Military leaders in the transitional government have demanded reforms from their civilian counterparts and called for the cabinet to be replaced. This was dismissed as a power grab by civilian leaders.
There have been multiple failed coups since 2019, the most recent of these was just last month.
The top civilian figure, Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, blamed Bashir loyalists - many of whom are said to be embedded in the military, security services and other state institutions.
And in recent weeks the country has seen demonstrations calling for the army to take power as well as large protests backing the prime minister.
The pro-military protesters have accused the government of failing to revive the country's fortunes.
Mr Hamdok's moves to reform the economy - including slashing fuel subsidies - have been unpopular with some.
What is happening now?
The head of Sudan's Sovereign Council has given a speech announcing a state of emergency.
He also dissolved the Sovereign Council that was overseeing the transition to civilian rule, as well as the dissolution of cabinet.
Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan also said elections would be held in July 2023.
Prime Minister Hamdok was reportedly detained by soldiers earlier in the day, along with several other ministers. It also appears that the state TV and radio headquarters have been taken over by the military.
The internet has also been restricted.
What might happen next?
According to information ministry's Facebook page, the prime minister had called on people to come out in support of the government.
Pictures and reports coming out of the capital, Khartoum, suggest that there are demonstrators out in the city.
The military have also been deployed to restrict movements.
In June 2019, before the democratic transition was agreed, soldiers opened fire on protesters in Khartoum killing at least 87 people.
Memories of that massacre will be playing on the minds of people as the two sides confront each other.
Source - BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59035053
______________________________________
Further Reading
Copy of news report from BBC News co uk
Dated Monday 25 October 2021
Title: Sudan's civilian leaders arrested amid coup reports
Members of Sudan's transitional government and other civilian leaders have been arrested amid reports of a military coup.
Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok is among those reported to have been put under house arrest by unidentified soldiers.
Pro-democracy protesters have taken to the streets of the capital, Khartoum.
Read full story plus analysis by Anne Soy, BBC Senior Africa Correspondent:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59033142
______________________________________
1 comment:
WHO'LL OVERTHROW AND FINISH ANOTHER BETWEEN BURHAN AND HEMERTI IN NORTH SUDAN?
For those who remember what happened in North Sudan after the army booted out its long time dictator Omar Bashir and what later happened in Mali where its strong-boy Assimi Goita, will agree with us that soon there'll be another coup d'etat in North Sudan. This time, the man behind the curtain, namely the former head of Janjaweed and self-appointed Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Daqlo aka Hemerti will dispose the current strongman Gen Abdel Fattah Burhan if not him being cut to size. You can take this to the bank. Sudan will settle after the two protagonists finish each other or being finished by the demonstrators.
The two would like to avoid being delivered to The Hague to face charges related with genocide they committed in Darfur under Bashir regime. Secondly, the duo is not likely to share power. One needs to–––and must–––finish another for another to prevail and survive. And chances are that the latter is likely to finish the former or vice versa. The duo can be pushed out shall the demonstrators stand their ground. Apart from that, the economic tanking provides a very good impetus and reason for deposing and disposing the couple in power under the marriage of convenience.
As the de facto ruler, Burhan has what it take to finish depending on how he'll play his cards since he has power without the number in the military machinery. Daqlo has the number in the army though he isn't on the seat of power.
More importantly, the duo are not a good couple. They are united by their struggle for survival. No love or need exist between the duo. Any of the couple can finish another shall an opportunity avail itself for any of the two. Burhan is unsafe in bed with Daqlo and vice versa. Any of the couple would like to see another gone shall he get and seize the moment. Actually, what's on going's nothing but the dance between two inimical evils. Time'll accurately soon tell and show that this prediction won't come to pass.My blog is mpayukaji.blogspot.com
Post a Comment