AU Sanctions Sudan Over Military Coup

FOLLOWING military crisis in Sudan, AFRICAN Union (AU) has announced suspension of the country from all its activities pending when civilian rule is restored.

AU Political Affairs Peace and Security, announced the suspension on Wednesday through its Twitter handle, saying it condemns the act, which the organization considered unconstitutional and therefore banned the North African country from all AU activities “until the effective restoration of the civilian-led transitional authority.”

The statement reads, “AUPSC decides to suspend the participation of the Republic of Sudan in all AU activities until the effective restoration of the civilian-led Transitional Authority; Welcomes the release of the PM; Calls for the immediate release of the ministers & civilian officials in detention.” pic.twitter.com/4uYOzMiLzc

Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had on Monday led a military coup which ended the civilian-led power-sharing government initiated in the country following the ousting of Omar Al-Bashir in 2019.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok who has been leading the government was deposed by the military group carrying out the coup. Hamdok along with his ministers and civilian members of Sudan’s ruling council was subsequently placed on military arrest by the military force that now controls the country’s government.

The development has sparked widespread international condemnation and also protests on the streets of Khartoum by the citizens who oppose it.

Security forces also launched massive arrests of the protesters who had been on the streets for three days demonstrating against the unfortunate power grab.

AU had suspended Sudan in June 2019 after a heavy crack down on pro-democracy protesters by army officers which led to the death of some protesters. it was just reinstated about three months ago.