Related Post
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok announced his resignation after his attempts to get out of the current political crisis failed, while 3 people were killed during new demonstrations calling for civilian rule.
Hamdok said in a speech broadcast on Sudanese television late yesterday evening, Sunday, that he took this decision after his recent efforts and meetings with the various political segments and components failed to reach a political consensus to avoid the country sliding towards what he described as chaos and instability.
He added that the solution to the dilemma facing Sudan is a dialogue that includes all components of society and the state to agree on a national charter, stressing that he tried to spare the country from slipping into disaster, as he put it.
The resigned Sudanese Prime Minister indicated that the transitional government dealt with all the challenges it faced, and that it accomplished the Juba Agreement, which contributed to silencing the guns and providing shelter for the displaced.
Government Achievements
Hamdok also spoke about the government’s achievements, referring to the extension of freedoms and the removal of Sudan from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism.
In this context, he explained that his government was able to forgive many debts, and it was hoped that 90% of the country’s foreign debt would be reduced.
He pointed out that his acceptance of the assignment was the result of political consensus, noting that the major crisis in the country is a political one, but it includes the economic and social aspects.
He also said that he was certain of the victory of the revolution led by the youth of Sudan if they succeeded in developing a common vision for the future, considering that Sudan’s major problem is structural between its civil and military components.
The army commander, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, had dismissed and arrested Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok and members of his government on October 25, but he returned him to his position without his government following international and local pressures on November 21.
The two men later signed an agreement to restore the democratic transition to its tracks and reassure the international community, which reduced its aid after the “coup.” The agreement was not satisfactory to all parties in Sudan, so protests continued in the streets.
Hamdok was supposed to form a new government, but he was unable to do so.
set aside differences
In the first external reaction after Hamdok’s resignation, the US State Department said that the Sudanese leaders should put aside differences and reach consensus.
The ministry added that Washington continues to stand by the Sudanese people and calls for an end to violence against the demonstrators.
And US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said earlier that the army’s seizure of power in Sudan and the violence against demonstrators cast doubt on the chances of a democratic Sudan emerging.
Blinken expressed his country’s readiness to respond to those he called who seek to obstruct the Sudanese people’s aspiration for a democratic government with civilian leadership.
“Million Martyrs”
Hours before the prime minister announced his resignation, the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and other cities witnessed confrontations between demonstrators and police forces that left various deaths and injuries.
The Sudan Doctors Committee confirmed that 3 protesters were killed in Omdurman and dozens were injured as the Sudanese forces used tear gas to disperse protesters who were on their way to the presidential palace in Khartoum.
The Sudanese Professionals Association appealed to doctors, surgeons and nurses to go to Omdurman and the capital’s hospitals, to treat the injured and provide the necessary medical services.
Thousands demonstrated in Khartoum and other cities as part of the so-called “Million of Martyrs” to demand civilian rule and condemn the killing of demonstrators during last week’s protests.
In a statement on Saturday, the Sudanese Professionals Association – the professional entity that played a pivotal role in the uprising that toppled Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 – called for making 2022 a “year of continuous resistance.”
He said that he calls on “the masses of the Sudanese people and the masses of Sudanese professionals and wage workers in all cities and villages of Sudan” to “go out and actively participate in the millions processions on January 2, 2022, so let us make it a year of continuous resistance.”
political pact
Earlier, the Sudanese Professionals Association submitted a proposal called “the political charter to complete the December revolution.”
The proposal, which Al Jazeera obtained a copy of, stipulates the necessity of overthrowing the Military Council, and forming a civilian transitional authority for a period of four years.
It also provides for the formation of an honorary civilian Sovereignty Council, a Council of Ministers whose members do not exceed 20 people from revolutionary competencies, and a civilian legislative council.
The proposal of the gathering of professionals also called for the construction and restructuring of the regular forces and the dismantling of all militias, especially the Rapid Support Forces, and for the Prime Minister to be the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
