The African Union has suspended Sudan from the body until civilian rule is restored in the country, saying it rejects the military take over as an “ Unconstitutional” seizure of power.
The African Union Political Affairs, Peace and Security on Wednesday tweeted the news of the suspension, an expected move typically taken in the wake of military coups.
“ AUPSU decides to suspend the participation of the Republic of Sudan in all African Union activities until the effective restoration of the civilian-led Transitional Authority; Welcomes the release of the Prime Minister; calls for the immediate release of the Ministers and Civilian officials in detention,” AUPSU tweeted.
On Monday, Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ordered the dissolution of the government and declared a state of emergency. This followed the military arrest and detention of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok along with his Ministers and civilian members of Sudan’s ruling Council.
This sparked off angry protests on the streets of Khartoum and widespread international condemnation.
Hamdok was later released from military detention, but other Ministers and civilian leaders have remained in detention since then.
On Wednesday, security forces launched arrests of anti-coup protestors in a bid to end the three days of demonstrations against the military take over.
This is the second time AU is suspending Sudan as in June 2019 where pro-democracy protestors demanding Civilian rule were gunned down outside army headquarters in Khartoum.
Their membership was reinstated three months later after Hamdok announced the appointment of Sudan’s first cabinet since the ousting of Veteran leader, Omar al-Bashir.
