NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: According to a news report by The Associated Press (AP) today (Tuesday, 26 October 2021) the UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency closed-door meeting on the coup in Sudan for this afternoon. Diplomats said late yesterday that the consultations were requested by the US, UK, France, Ireland, Norway and Estonia. The council is wrapping up a visit to Mali and Niger and is scheduled to return to New York early this afternoon, so the meeting has been scheduled for 4 pm EDT, the diplomats said ahead of an official announcement. View the original AP report here: https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-africa-sudan-united-states-386c829dbba1efcba72d8e9fd4c411b5
Also, this phenomenal reporting is from the live page of BBC World Service Africa posted online yesterday (Monday, 25 October 2021) the day that Sudan's coup unfolded. I have edited using [...] to show where I have cut text to keep the entire collection of the day's fast-moving live reporting as short as possible. Coverage began at 5:03 am and ended at 22:18 pm GMT UK. Amazing.
LIVE Africa news updates on Sudan
By BBC World Service Africa
Published throughout the day on Monday 25 October 2021
From 5:03 am to 22:18 pm GMT UK:
Posted at 22:18
In pictures: Sudan coup protestors take to streets
Protests have erupted in several cities including the capital Khartoum after the military coup.
Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59045651
Posted at 21:56
Several killed in protests against Sudan coup
Soldiers are said to have opened fire on large crowds opposing the military takeover.
Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59045020
Posted at 18:31
How Sudan's coup unfolded
We're pausing our live page coverage of Monday's events in Sudan, where the prime minister and his wife were detained along with members of his cabinet and civilian leaders in a putsch.
Here's how it unfolded:
- Armed soldiers were deployed to the capital as angry protesters burnt tyres.
- The coup leader Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan announced a state of emergency and dissolved the body overseeing the transition to civilian rule.
- Reports circulated of a fierce crackdown against coup opponents. There have been at least three deaths, according to a Sudanese labour union for doctors.
- Sudanese state media was hit by a crackdown as the director of the Sudanese General Corporation for Radio and Television Transmission was arrested and fired.
- Leaders around the world voiced concern about events including the AU, the UN, the United States, the EU and the Arab League.
Posted at 18:03
Media crackdown in wake of Sudan coup
Sudanese journalist Yousra Elbagir reports that security forces have raided the offices of media company Ramatan and arrested staff they found there.
"Editors, technicians and cameramen," were reportedly among them: [View more on Twitter]
Sudanese state media has also suffered a crackdown with Lukman Ahmed - the director of the Sudanese General Corporation for Radio and Television Transmission - arrested and fired.
Sudan already ranked among the bottom 10 countries in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) annual press freedom index.
Journalists in the country have long operated under restrictions which were only briefly lifted in 2019 when former President Bashir's tenure, before being reimposed by the Transitional Military Council.
Posted at 17:48
Fierce security crackdown in Sudan - reports
Former BBC journalist Mohanad Hashim, who has returned from Khartoum, said the oppression he witnessed in Sudan was reminiscent of the crackdown in the early days of the uprising against former President Omar al-Bashir in 2018.
In one seemingly recent video on social media, which appears to be in Khartoum on Monday, gunfire can be heard as people flee the scene: [View more on Twitter]
Mr Hashim told Focus on Africa radio that the casualties of people harmed in and around the army headquarters could be in their dozens.
There are also reports from Doctors in Sudan that two protesters have died.
Posted at 17:24
South Sudan urges Sudan to return to dialogue
By Nichola Mandil, Juba
The government of South Sudan is urging the military and differing parties in neighbouring Sudan to quickly return to dialogue amid a coup.
A press release issued by South Sudan’s foreign affairs ministry says President Salva Kiir affirms his unwavering solidarity with the people of Sudan. […]
But the statement neither explicitly condemns nor welcomes the military coup in Sudan.
Last year President Salva Kiir brokered a peace deal between Sudan’s transitional government and factions of rebel groups from the western Sudan region of Darfur and the Blue Nile region, which saw some leaders of these movements return to Khartoum and join the interim government.
Posted at 17:06
Where is Prime Minister Hamdok?
By BBC Focus on Africa
Image credit AFP/BBC “Seen here on a visit to France in 2019, Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok and his wife - economist Muna Abdalla - are being held in an undisclosed location.”
The exact whereabouts of Sudan's prime minister - the top civilian figure in the transitional government - are still unknown.
"We know he was held under house arrest this morning, some accounts suggested he was asked by the military to come in support [of the takeover]," former BBC journalist Mohanad Hashim told Focus on Africa radio.
"He refused and there was a statement from him urging people to take to the streets and protect the revolution, then he was whisked away to an undisclosed location with his wife."
Two of his ministers - the minister for cabinet affairs, and the minister for information - were both "arrested and maltreated, some say badly beaten," Sudan TV journalist Mr Hashim said.
"[In addition] my boss has been arrested and fired from his position - former BBC journalist Lukman Ahmed - and his whereabouts are also unknown as we speak," Mr Hashim added.
Posted at 16:56
Two die in protests - reports
By BBC World Service
Doctors in Sudan say at least two people have been killed in protests against a military takeover of the country and around 80 others wounded.
Shots were fired as large groups of people took to the streets to demonstrate against the coup.
Posted at 16:31
Coup is not a done deal - analysis
By BBC Newshour, BBC World Service
People in Sudan are quick to mobilise when the military oversteps its mark, says Alex de Waal.
Events in Sudan have many hallmarks of a successful coup, yet Africa analyst Alex de Waal argues it's not a "done deal".
"Whenever the military members of the hybrid arrangement we have now, whenever they tried to overstep the mark the street mobilised and pulled them back - and I suspect that is what we are going to see now," he told BBC Newshour [ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p002vsnk ].
"All Sudanese were quite capable of seeing the stratagems that generals were playing over the last few weeks," he says, adding that "there is a tremendous resourceful capacity for civic mobilisation in Sudan, which we’ve seen recurrently since the overthrow of President Bashir in 2019."
De Waal, who is executive director of the World Peace Foundation and a research professor at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, also said Sudan's military were "following the Egypt playbook, using protests and discontent as pretext for a military takeover".
Yet he said, despite the Egyptian president's known sympathy for Sudan's military rulers, it was "quite striking" that the "Arab League has not come out in support of what is happening".
"It’s not clear what backing Gen Burhan has for this move."
Posted at 16:11
Sudan coup: a simple guide
Monday’s coup comes after weeks of tension between the military and civilian leaders.
Read more: [ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59035053 ]
Posted at 16:07
US 'deeply alarmed' by events in Sudan
[…] “We reject the actions by the military and call for the immediate release of the prime minister and others who have been placed under house arrest," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Meanwhile, Democrat Senator Chris Coons, a leading member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has warned that US aid to Sudan could end if Prime Minister Hamdok and the full transitional government is not restored to power. [View more on Twitter: Senator Chris Coons @ChrisCoons]
Posted at 15:39
We want to see a Sudan where people are free - protester
By BBC Newshour, BBC World Service
Duaa Tariq, a human rights defender and artist, is one of those protesting in Khartoum today and she's been speaking to Newshour on the BBC World Service about what's been going on:
"There is a lot of confusion, fear and also solidarity on the streets... because [people] have seen signs of this coming for the last four days.
"People were ready and the streets are all blocked with barricades.
"It is difficult to gather and organise... because of the internet blackout.
"The army is only guarding the army headquarters and the bridges [on the Nile].
"There is tension and violence... people who tried to get to the army headquarters were met with gunshots.
"We want to see a Sudan where people are free... we don't want military rule to be back after all we've seen. [see photo]
Posted at 15:10
UN Secretary General condemns Sudan coup
The United Nations Secretary General has called on Sudan's military to release the prime minister and "all other officials" immediately, in a Twitter post which condemned the coup.
He said that the constitutional charter must be respected in full, and said the citizens of Sudan have the international body's support. [View more on Twitter]
Meanwhile there was further condemnation from the UK government.
The country's minister for Africa tweeted that the coup was a "betrayal" of the Sudanese people and called on security forces to release the prime minister. [View more on Twitter]
Posted at 14:48
The state of emergency won't deter civilians - analysis
By Mohamed Osman, BBC Arabic, Khartoum
The only surprise in the televised speech by Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan was the announcement of the state of emergency.
This now paves the way for more measures to be introduced under the pretext of emergency rule.
When the state of emergency was enforced during the final days of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, and later by the military council, many political figures and journalists were arrested.
But when it comes to the coup itself, a lot of political observers were expecting what we saw today in Sudan. Even ordinary people were anticipating that something would happen.
Gen Burhan and other army leaders have been expressing clear dissatisfaction lately in the power-sharing agreement with civilians.
He had repeatedly said that deep divisions in the council, and the recent protests and sit-ins by civilians, were creating a state of chaos in the country.
For him, what happened today was about getting the transitional period in Sudan back on track.
But the civilian-led protest movement disagrees with this view, as the number of demonstrators on the street, which is expected to increase, attests to.
The Sudanese people have proven more than once that a state of emergency will not stop them from taking to the streets to set out their demands.
Posted at 14:24
Sudan party rejects coup - pro-opposition website
By BBC MONITORING
The Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) has rejected the army's takeover of power and urged the Sudanese people to confront the "military coup", pro-opposition website Al-Rakoba has reported.
"We ask all the active forces and all the forces that stand and support a civilian authority to declare a political strike and civil disobedience until the coup is defeated," the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the SCP said in a statement. […]
Posted at 13:57
Smoke and victory signs at Sudan protests
Photos published on Monday show demonstrators in Sudan gathering in the capital, Khartoum, amid scenes of burning tyres and streets deserted of cars. [View 3 photos]
Posted at 13:54
Protests against Sudan's military coup
Demonstrators take to Khartoum's streets in opposition to arrests by the military of political leaders. [View video]
Posted at 13:41
How has the world reacted to Sudan's coup?
By The Newsroom BBC WORLD SERVICE
Many world leaders have condemned the military takeover in Sudan, and called for opposing parties to dialogue:
- The African Union says it learnt with deep dismay about the events in Sudan and has called for the immediate resumption of dialogue between the military and civilians.
- The United States says it's deeply alarmed. The US special envoy for the Horn of Africa expressed support for the transitional government and said a coup would contravene the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people.
- The UN has condemned the coup. An envoy to Sudan said the detentions were unacceptable and called on all parties to immediately return to dialogue.
- The Arab League said it was concerned for Sudan's transition to civilian rule.
- The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, called on all stakeholders and regional partners to put the process back on track.
Posted at 13:24
Sudan soldiers 'fire at protesters'
By BBC MONITORING
"Soldiers have fired live bullets at the demonstrators who rejected the military coup in front of the General Command of the Army, and [an unknown] number of casualties are expected," the ministry said in a short post on its Facebook page.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Khartoum to protest against the arrest of the prime minister and senior civilian officials who were members of the transitional government. […]
Posted at 13:06
Regional bloc condemns Sudan coup
East African body, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad), has condemned the coup in Sudan, saying it was a setback to the country's transition to civilian rule.
The body said it was "alarmed" by developments in the country and called for restrain.
"The organisation stands ready to support the transitional government of Sudan and the Sudanese people consolidate peace and democratic gains," Igad's executive secretary said moments before Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan dissolved Sudan's Sovereign Council.
Sudan's ousted Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok is the current chair of Igad.
Posted at 12:50
'Chanting protesters' appear to condemn Gen Burhan
Video clips circulating on social media appear to show protesters outside the General Command in Khartoum, which is the same area where pro-democracy demonstrations were held in 2019.
According to one thread people were chanting: "The military belongs to Sudan, the military doesn’t belong to Burhan". View more on Twitter.
Posted at 12:23
Sudan PM 'kidnapped' - government ministry
Sudan's Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok has been "kidnapped" in his Khartoum home alongside his wife in the early hours of Monday morning, according to a statement on the Ministry of Culture and Information's Facebook page.
It says what happened represents a huge infringement of the constitution and and a "complete coup".
The statement called on Sudanese people to take to the streets in peaceful protest to do all they can to "protect their revolution".
Posted at 12:08
Military tears up previous agreements - analysis
By Will Ross, Africa editor, BBC World Service
Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan, was meant to be handing over the leadership of the ruling Sovereign Council to a civilian next month – one step on a road to elections in Sudan.
Instead, he's torn up previous agreements and, in what amounts to a coup, has scrapped the power-sharing agreement between civilians and the military.
The government has been dissolved and elections set for just under two years’ time.
Gen Burhan and other senior military figures are known to have the support of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
It is likely that this backing influenced the decision to halt the agreed transition to civilian rule.
Posted at 11:53
Sudan general declares state of emergency amid coup
By Nichola Mandil, Juba
The head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan has dissolved the council and the cabinet and declared a state of emergency across the whole country.
He made the announcement in a live televised address.
All members of the Sovereign Council - overseeing the transition to democratic rule - have been relieved from their positions, he said.
He also dissolved all the state governments and removed the governors from their positions.
He said that a caretaker government will be announced before the end of November, and declared that general elections to pave the way to a civilian government will take place in July 2023.
Posted at 11:36
African Union dismayed over Sudan coup
The chairperson of the African Union Commission has called for the "immediate resumption of consultations" between civilians and the military amid a coup in Sudan.
A statement said Moussa Faki Mahamat was deeply dismayed by unfolding events and called for the "release of all arrested political leaders and the necessary strict respect of human rights".
Posted at 11:22
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.
Posted at 11:08
EU wants Sudan's transition 'back on track'
The European Union has called on Sudan's military and civilian leaders to put the country's transition process "back on track".
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell tweeted on Monday that he was following events in the country with "utmost concern".
Posted at 10:59
Twelve injured in Khartoum clashes - reports
Twelve people have been injured in clashes between protesters and the military forces in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, a doctors' committee in Sudan says.
Posted at 10:40
UN calls for release of Sudan civilian leaders
The United Nations has urged Sudan's security forces to "immediately release those who have been unlawfully detained or placed under house arrest".
Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok is among civilian leaders reported to have been put under house arrest on Monday by unidentified soldiers.
"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.
"All parties must immediately return to dialogue and engage in good faith to restore the constitutional order," he added.
It remains unclear who was behind the pre-dawn arrests.
Posted at 10:29
Signs of Sudan's coup build-up have been clear
By Anne Soy, BBC News, Nairobi
Recent weeks have seen a rapid build-up of tensions in Khartoum.
A hostile take-over of power is what many in Sudan and beyond have feared could happen anytime. The signs have been all too clear.
A pro-military sit-in right in front of the Presidential Palace was seen as choreographed to lead to a coup. No attempt was made to disguise its purpose. The protesters demanded that the military overthrow "failed" civilian leaders.
It was an unusual attempt at legitimising a military take-over – using the guise of a popular protest.
Nearly a week later, a counter-protest was held. This time, huge crowds came out in support of the civilian government.
With more protests called by pro-democracy groups to "counter a military coup", Sudan could be set for yet another period of showdown between the armed forces and the people.
The country has made huge strides in normalising ties with the West and unlocking much-needed funding streams.
The promise of transition to democracy has kept many Sudanese and the country’s allies hopeful. But all that could be at risk now.
Whatever happens, this is no doubt a defining moment in its politics.
Posted at 10:00
Coup reports 'major blow' to Sudan transition - HRW
Reports of a military takeover in Sudan are "a major blow" to Sudan's transition to civilian rule, Human Rights Watch says.
Sudan is currently run by a joint military-civilian Sovereign Council. The military wing is scheduled to hand over the leadership of the Sovereign Council to the civilian component next month,
Human Rights Watch says "the international community should press for a return to the civilian transition".
It urged security forces in the country to protect the right of civilians to protest and refrain from using lethal force.
The head of the military, Lt-Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan, is expected to address the nation shortly.
Posted at 9:35
Arab League 'concerned' over Sudan's transition
The Arab League has expressed concern over the developments in Sudan after the military detained civilian leaders and ministers in an apparent coup.
It called on the Sudanese parties "to abide by the signed transitional arrangements," according to a statement by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Sudan is an African member of the Arab League.
Posted at 9:08
Khartoum airport shut amid coup reports
Flights to and from Sudan's capital Khartoum have been suspended, amid reports of an ongoing coup.
The Khartoum International Airport has reportedly been been closed and access to it blocked, with military forces reportedly surrounding it.
There has not been any official government announcement on the airport status.
Posted at 8:49
Photos: Mounting tension in Khartoum over coup fears
The Reuters news agency has obtained photos of protesters who gathered on the streets of Khartoum on Monday morning amid reports of a military takeover.
They show angry crowds burning tyres in the streets.
The army and paramilitary have been deployed across the city and are restricting the movement of civilians, Reuters reports.
Posted at 8:16
Soldiers storm state TV headquarters - ministry
Sudan's information ministry says soldiers have stormed the radio and television headquarters in Omdurman near the capital, Khartoum.
It says joint military forces have detained a number of employees there.
Internet has been shut down in the country but images have appeared on social media showing angry crowds burning tyres in the streets.
Posted at 8:12
What we know so far about Sudan’s coup attempt
Sudanese military forces have detained several members of the country’s civilian leadership and put Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok under house arrest amid reports of a coup.
Here's what what we know so far:
- The prime minister and at least four ministers are among those believed detained by unidentified soldiers.
- Heavily armed soldiers have been deployed in the capital, Khartoum, amid angry protesters burning tyres in the streets.
- Internet has been shut in the capital.
- There are reports military forces have stormed the state radio and television headquarters in Omdurman city, arresting some employees.
- The US says it's 'deeply alarmed' by the reports of a military coup
Posted at 7:35
US 'deeply alarmed' by Sudan coup reports
In a tweet, US special envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman said any military takeover would be "utterly unacceptable" and "puts at risk US assistance".
Posted at 7:28
Sudan PM asking people to defend revolution - ministry
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who is reportedly under house arrest, is asking Sudanese people to continue holding peaceful protests and "defend the revolution", according to a post on Sudan's information ministry Facebook page.
It says joint military forces that earlier detained him in his house have been pressuring him to announce a statement supporting the coup.
After refusing to endorse the coup, the army has now moved the prime minister to an unknown location, it adds in another post.
Posted at 6:59
Why Sudan's military and civilian rulers are at odds
Military and civilian groups have been sharing power since 2019
Sudan's military and civilian leaders have been at odds since they began sharing power in the transitional government set up after the overthrow two years ago of the long-serving military ruler, Omar al-Bashir.
The transitional government - known as the Sovereign Council - was intended to pave the way for elections.
But tensions have grown since September, when a coup attempt attributed to followers of Mr Bashir was foiled.
Last Thursday, thousands of people demonstrated across the country in support of the democratic transition.
But the army's supporters accuse the civilian rulers of being ineffective and ruining the economy.
Posted at 6:21
Heavily armed soldiers deployed in Sudan's capital
Heavily armed soldiers and other security forces have been deployed to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and are restricting movement of civilians in the city.
The AFP news agency reports that uniformed soldiers cut off the main roads leading to the capital.
It comes as protesters gathered on roads to protest against the reported arrest of civilian members of the ruling transitional government, the Reuters news agency adds.
Posted at 5:49
Internet blocked in Sudan amid coup reports
Global internet monitor NetBlocks reports of a significant disruption of internet in Sudan, where there are reports of a possible coup attempt.
It says the disruption is likely to limit the free flow of information online and news coverage of incidents on the ground.
Netblocks says internet connectivity dropped to 34% of normal levels.
Posted at 5:03
Soldiers besiege Sudan PM's house - reports
Image credit AFP. Copyright AFP. The Sudan PM is reportedly under house arrest
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.
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