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Military forces arrested a number of senior Sudanese government officials on Monday, the country’s information ministry said, as the country’s main pro-democracy group called on people to take to the streets to counter an apparent coup military state.
The ministry said the internet was cut and military forces shut down the bridges. The country’s state news channel broadcast traditional patriotic music and Nile scenes. The Umma Party, the country’s largest political party, called the arrests an attempted coup and called on people to take to the streets to resist. Earlier, the Sudanese Professionals Association, a group leading demands for a transition to democracy, made a similar appeal.
A possible military takeover would be a major setback for Sudan, which has struggled with a transition to democracy since longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir was overthrown by mass protests.
Monday’s arrests come after weeks of growing tension between Sudanese civilian and military leaders. A failed coup attempt in September fractured the country along old lines, pitting more conservative Islamists who want a military government against those who toppled al-Bashir more than two years ago in mass protests. In recent days, both camps have taken to the streets to demonstrate.
The Information Ministry said in a brief statement on its Facebook page that the whereabouts of those responsible was not known. He did not provide details of who was detained.
Earlier Monday, two officials confirmed that at least five government figures had been arrested. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.
Officials said government officials detained included Industry Minister Ibrahim al-Sheikh, Information Minister Hamza Baloul and Mohammed al-Fiky Suliman, a member of the country’s known transitional body. under the name of Sovereign Council, and Faisal Mohammed Saleh, a media adviser to Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.
It was not immediately clear where Hamdok was, as media reported that security forces were stationed outside his home in Khartoum.
Under Hamdok and the transitional council, Sudan slowly emerged from years of international pariah status under al-Bashir. The country was removed from the list of states supporting US terrorism in 2020, opening the door to much-needed international loans and investment. The country’s economy has struggled with the brunt of a number of economic reforms called for by international credit institutions.
It was not immediately clear where Hamdok was, as media reported that security forces were stationed outside his home in Khartoum.
Under Hamdok and the transitional council, Sudan slowly emerged from years of international pariah status under al-Bashir. The country was removed from the list of states supporting US terrorism in 2020, opening the door to much-needed international loans and investment. The country’s economy has struggled with the brunt of a number of economic reforms called for by international credit institutions.
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