CAIRO, Egypt
Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok
announced his resignation Sunday amid political deadlock and widespread
pro-democracy protests following a military coup that derailed the country’s
fragile transition to democratic rule.
Hamdok, a former U.N. official seen as the
civilian face of Sudan’s transitional government, had been reinstated as prime
minister in November as part of an agreement with the military following the
October coup. In that time he had failed to name a Cabinet and his resignation
throws Sudan into political uncertainty amid uphill security and economic
challenges.
In a televised national address Sunday, Hamdok
called for a dialogue to agree on a “national charter” and to “draw a roadmap”
to complete the transition to democracy in accordance with the 2019
constitutional document governing the transitional period.
“I decided to return the responsibility and
declare my resignation as prime minister,” he said, adding that his stepping
down would allow a chance for another person to lead the nation and complete
its transition to a “civilian, democratic country.” He did not name a
successor.
The prime minister said his efforts to bridge
the widening gap and settle disputes among the political forces have failed.
He warned that the ongoing political stalemate
since the military takeover could become a full-blown crisis and damage the
country’s already battered economy.
“I tried as much as I possibly could to prevent
our country from sliding into a disaster. Now, our nation is going through a
dangerous turning point that could threaten its survival unless it is urgently
rectified,” he said.
The October coup had upended Sudan’s plans to
move to democracy after a popular uprising forced the military’s overthrow of
longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and his Islamist government in April 2019.
Four months after al-Bashir’s ouster, the
generals and the protesters reached a power-sharing deal to rule the country
through elections in 2023. However, military-civilian ties have been frayed by
the military takeover that has threatened to return Sudan to international
isolation.
Hamdok’s resignation comes amid a heavy
security crackdown on protesters denouncing not only the takeover but the
subsequent deal that reinstated him and sidelined the pro-democracy movement.
He was returned to office in November amid international pressure in a deal
that calls for an independent technocratic Cabinet under military oversight led
by him.
“I have had the honor of serving my country people
for more than two years. And during his period I have sometimes done well, and
I have sometimes failed,” Hamdok said.
The Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and
Change, an umbrella group of Sudanese political parties and pro-democracy
organizations, has rejected the November deal and sa remains committed to
ending military rule. The alliance accused Hamdok of allowing the military to
dominate the government, and continued to organize anti-coup street protests
which were met with heavy crackdown.
Over the past two weeks, there was increasing
speculation that he would step down. National and international efforts have
failed to convince him to stay in office.
The U.S. State Department urged on Twitter
Sudan’s leaders to “set aside differences, find consensus, and ensure continued
civilian rule” following Hamdok’s resignation.
It also called for the appointment of the next
premier and Cabinet to “in line with the (2019) constitutional declaration to
meet the people’s goals of freedom, peace, and justice.”
“Its time for the deployment of an
international mediator who can do the job Hamdok was incapable of -- finding
political compromise between the military, the street and the FFC, to rewrite a
roadmap for going forward,” said Cameron Hudson, a former U.S. State Department
official and Sudan expert at the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center
Hours before Hamdok’s resignation speech,
Sudanese security forces violently dispersed pro-democracy protesters, killing
at least three people, according the the Sudan Doctors Committee, which is part
of the pro-democracy movement. The group said dozens of protesters were
injured.
The protests came despite tightened security
and blocked bridges and roads in Khartoum and Omdurman. Internet connections
were also disrupted ahead of the protests, according to advocacy group
NetBlocs. Authorities have used such tactics repeatedly since the Oct. 25 coup.
Sunday’s fatalities have brought the death toll
among protesters since the coup to at least 57, according to the medical group.
Hundreds have also been wounded.
Allegations surfaced last month of sexual violence, including rape and gang rape by
security forces against female protesters, according to the United
Nations.
The ruling sovereign council has vowed to
investigate violence against the protesters.
On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony
Blinken urged security forces to “immediately cease the use of deadly force
against protesters” and to hold those responsible for violence accountable.
“We do not want to return to the past, and are
prepared to respond to those who seek to block the aspirations of the Sudanese
people for a civilian-led, democratic government,” he added. - AP
