Egypt backs Sudan people’s choices in ‘shaping their future’

Egypt yesterday said it was “fully” supporting the choices of the Sudanese people in determining their country’s future following the overthrow of former President Omar Al-Bashir.

In an official statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry explained that Cairo was “closely following with great interest the current and accelerating developments in Sudan.”

“Egypt fully supports the Sudanese people’s choices and free will in formulating the future of their own country, in addition to what the Sudanese people will agree upon at such a crucial stage,” the statement read.

The ministry also called on the international community to support decisions made by the Sudanese people in what it described as a “critical historic phase,” urging the “brotherly and friendly countries to support and assist Sudan to achieve a peaceful transition towards a better future for the Sudanese people.”

READ: Thousands of Sudanese protesters hold second day of sit-in outside Bashir’s compound

The Sudanese Defence Minister, Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf, yesterday announced that Al-Bashir, who ruled Sudan in an autocratic manner for 30 years, had been overthrown and arrested in a coup by the country’s armed forces, noting that he was being detained in a “safe place”.

Ibn Auf said the military would rule the country for two years after which presidential elections would be held.

Sudan has witnessed four months of popular protests which were launched as a result of the increase in the price of basic goods. Demonstrations later called for Al-Bashir to step down. The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) was among a number of organisations that called for the protests to continue yesterday until a civilian government was elected.