Khartoum, 24 November 2021 (TDI): US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held separate telephonic conversations with Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and Chair of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan yesterday.
Blinken welcomed the release and reinstatement of Prime Minister Hamdok as the first step towards democratic transition in Sudan. However, he called for the release of other political prisoners and the elimination of the state of emergency.
Moreover, Blinken emphasized that Prime Minister Hamdok and General Burhan need to take the necessary steps and follow the state’s Constitutional Declaration and the Juba Peace Agreement.
When discussing the resolutions, the leaders concluded that creating a transitional legislative council, judicial structure, electoral institutions, and a constitutional convention would help Sudan with the democratic transition, besides strengthening the US-Sudan relationship.
In my calls today with Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok and General Burhan, I expressed support for initial steps to restore Sudan’s democratic transition but underscored the work that remains to rebuild confidence with the Sudanese people. I made clear that the U.S. is watching.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 23, 2021
While discussing Khartoum’s latest developments with Secretary Blinken, Prime Minister Hamdok expressed his gratitude towards Washington’s continued support for Sudan’s civilian leadership.
Earlier on October 27, Antony Blinken also consulted Sudan’s Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi on how the US could assist Khartoum’s democratic transition under the Republic’s Constitutional Declaration.
Context of Sudan’s Crisis
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s Army Chief, led the military coup last month dismissing the country’s joint civilian-military council. Consequently, thousands of civilians protested against the coup and arrest of the civilian political leaders.
The detention of Abdalla Hamdok and these protests led to fatal outcomes, given which a state of emergency was declared in Sudan. Following the turmoil, many people have been killed and injured after clashing with the state’s security forces.
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