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Sudan: UN condemns ‘unacceptable’ use of lethal force against protesters

March 22, 2022 at 3:27 pm

People take part in demonstrations held near the presidential palace demanding the civilian rule and the release of political prisoners, in Sudan’s capital Khartoum on March 14, 2022 [Mahmoud Hjaj/Anadolu Agency]

The UN has described as “unacceptable” the continued use of lethal force against protesters by the Sudanese authorities. The use of such force against peaceful protesters is “tragic,” UN spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York.

Dujarric’s remarks came in response to questions about the UN secretary-general’s stance on the issue. “People, wherever they are, have the right to take to the streets and demonstrate peacefully,” insisted Dujarric. “It unacceptable for security forces to use live ammunition or lethal weapons against them.”

The spokesperson pointed out that the head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), Volker Perthes, was continuing a “dialogue with various parties, including the African Union, to resolve the political crisis in Sudan.”

READ: US imposes sanctions on Sudan’s Reserve Police for suppressing protests

Since 25 October last year, Sudan has been witnessing popular protests rejecting the exceptional measures taken by the army chief, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. The most notable of these are the imposition of a state of emergency and the dissolution of the sovereignty councils and transitional ministers.

The move was described by the international community as a “coup”. According to Al-Burhan, though, the measures were taken “to rectify the course of the transition period.” He pledged to “hand over power either through elections or a national consensus.”

Sudan’s transition period began on 21 August 2019, with power shared by the army, civilian forces and armed movements that signed a peace agreement with the government in 2020. The transition was slated to end with elections in early 2024.

Sudan protests and Prime Minister resigns - Cartoon [Sabaaneh/Middle East Monitor]

Sudan’s prime minister resigns amid deadlock, anti-coup protests – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/Middle East Monitor]