The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) has described the ongoing detentions of the Prime Minister of Sudan, other top government officials and politicians as “unacceptable.”
A statement released by UNITAMS through the Office of Special Representative of the Secretary General asked the “security forces to immediately release those who have been unlawfully detained or placed under house arrest.”
The United States Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman said it is “deeply alarmed” by the coup reports.
Witnesses said that the internet is down in the North African nation’s capital, Khartoum, while images have appeared on social media showing angry crowds burning tyres in the streets.
Members of Sudan’s transitional government and other civilian leaders have been arrested amid reports of a military coup with Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok among those put under house arrest by unidentified soldiers.
The Sudanese military has not commented, but pro-democracy groups urged street protests.
The full statement by UNITAMS SRSG reads: “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.
“I call on the security forces to immediately release those who have been unlawfully detained or placed under house arrest. It is the responsibility of these forces to ensure the security and wellbeing of people in their custody.
“I urge all parties to exercise utmost restraint. All parties must immediately return to dialogue and engage in good faith to restore the constitutional order.”
The UNITAMS’ overarching objective is to support the Sudanese democratic transition and is specifically mandated by the UN Security Council to assist the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, in the protection and promotion of human rights and sustainable peace, as well as to support peace processes and the implementation of peace agreements, peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, and the mobilization of economic and development assistance and coordination of humanitarian assistance.
UNITAMS also complements the ongoing work of the United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes on the ground and works closely with the Sudanese transitional Government and the people of Sudan in support of their democratic transition.
There has been no love lost between Sudan’s military and civilian leaders since long-time ruler, Omar al-Bashir, was toppled two years ago and the transitional government set up.
It remains unclear who was behind the pre-dawn arrests.
A statement from Sudan’s Information Ministry on Facebook said the detentions were carried out by “joint military forces” and those arrested were being held in “an unidentified location”.
The Ministry said soldiers had stormed the HQ of the State broadcaster in Omdurman and detained staff there.
The army and paramilitary have been deployed across the city, restricting the movement of civilians, a witness is quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
Khartoum airport is now closed, and international flights are suspended.
Sudan’s main pro-democracy group has called on its supporters to resist any military coup.
The military and civilian transitional authorities have ruled together since President Bashir was toppled after months of street protests in 2019.
A power-sharing deal between the military and a loose coalition of groups – the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) – had been agreed, launching the Sovereign Council.
It was to rule the country for another year – with the aim of holding elections and transitioning to civilian rule.
But the deal has always been fractious, with a large number of rival political groups – and divisions within the military too.
Tensions grew further after a coup attempt was foiled in September. The coup was alleged to have been masterminded by followers of the former dictator, Bashir.
This month, opponents of Sudan’s transition to democracy took to the streets of the capital, Khartoum, to call on the army to take control of the country.
Media caption, Thousands join a protest to back the military and oppose the government
Pro-democracy groups said it was an organised attempt by the military to retake power.
Last Thursday, tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Khartoum to show solidarity with the transitional government.
Support for the interim government has slumped in recent months as the country’s economy has struggled.
Sudan has been unable to find a workable political system since independence in 1956 and has seen numerous coups and coup attempts.