KHARTOUM, Sudan
Sudan's military has dissolved
civilian rule, arrested political leaders and declared a state of emergency.Demonstrators block roads in the capital, Khartoum, in protest at the arrests
Gen Abdel Fattah Burhan, who had
been heading a joint council with civilian leaders, blamed political
infighting.
Protesters have taken to the
streets of the capital, Khartoum, and there are reports of gunfire.
Military and civilian leaders
have been at odds since long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir was overthrown two years
ago and a transitional government set up.
Although the country remains in a
deep economic crisis, there had been more international support - and a
military takeover will put that hugely at risk.
Video footage from the north
African nation's capital on Monday showed protesters manning lit barricades and
entering the area near the military's headquarters.
One demonstrator, Haitham
Mohamed, told Agence France-Presse: "We are ready to give our lives for
the democratic transition in Sudan."
Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok is
among those reported to have been put under house arrest, along with members of
his cabinet and other civilian leaders.
A statement from the information
ministry on Facebook said those arrested were being held in "an
unidentified location".
It also said Mr Hamdok was being
pressed to support a coup but was refusing to do so and he urged people to
continue with peaceful protests to "defend the revolution".
Gen Burhan has been heading the Sovereign Council, part of a power-sharing arrangement between military and civilian leaders.
In a televised address, he said
infighting between politicians, ambition and incitement to violence had forced
him to act to protect the safety of the nation and to "rectify the
revolution's course".
He said Sudan was still committed
to "international accords" and the transition to civilian rule, with
elections planned for July 2023.
Demonstrator Sawsan Bashir told
AFP: "We will not leave the streets until the civilian government is back
and the transition is back."
Witnesses say the internet is down and that army and paramilitary troops have been deployed across the city. Khartoum airport is closed, and international flights are suspended.
There has been international
condemnation of the military's move.
The UK's special envoy for Sudan
and South Sudan, Robert Fairweather, tweeted: that military arrests of civilian
leaders was "a betrayal of the revolution, the transition and the Sudanese
people".
The US, UN, EU and Arab League
have also expressed deep concern.
Recent weeks have seen a rapid
build-up of tension in Khartoum. A hostile takeover 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 in Khartoum 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 takeover, 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.
The military and civilian
transitional authorities have ruled together since President Bashir was toppled
after months of street protests in 2019.
The power-sharing deal between
the military and a loose coalition of groups - the Forces for Freedom and
Change (FFC) - saw the launch of the Sovereign Council.
It was scheduled to rule the
country for another year - with the aim of holding elections and transitioning
to civilian rule.
But the deal was always
fractious, with a large number of rival political groups - and divisions within
the military too.
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