Sudan: The UN is holding talks to find a way out of the crisis

The UN special envoy to Sudan announced on Saturday that he would hold talks next week with the participation of “all key actors”, both “civilian” and “military”, to begin efforts to overcome the new crisis. in Sudan, following the October 25 military coup.

“It’s time to end the violence and start a constructive process,” Volker Pertes said in a press release on the talks, which are expected to begin tomorrow, Monday.

“All key actors, civilian and military,” will be involved in the “inclusive” talks, including “armed movements, political parties, civil society organizations, women’s organizations and resistance committees,” he said.

A military coup led by the head of the armed forces, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on October 25 ended the transition to a purely political government in Sudan, almost two years after the ouster of General Omar al-Bashir. in power for almost three decades.

At least 60 people have been killed and hundreds injured in mass protests following the military coup, according to the Central Committee of the Sudanese Medical Association, an independent group.

The Forces for Freedom and Change (CMP), the spearhead of the uprising that led to the overthrow of Bashir in 2019, said in a statement that it had not been informed of “any details” regarding the talks announced by the German diplomat to the UN. , assuring that it is willing to consider the initiative as soon as it is “officially informed”.

In anticipation, the CMP will continue its “peaceful mass mobilization against the October 25 military coup” as long as “there is a political government.”

The UN-sponsored talks are aimed at helping the parties “reach an agreement on resolving the current political crisis and finding a viable path to democracy and peace,” Pertes said. democratization after the fall of Bashir knows “major adversities”.

The Arab League welcomed the UN initiative, as did Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the United Kingdom, which issued a joint statement calling on “all political actors to seize the opportunity to resume the transition.” “Towards democracy.

Prime Minister and caretaker Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdock, who returned to power a month after General Burhan’s coup d’état, resigned on January 2, following the deaths of three protesters. .

Since then, the generals have held the helm of the country alone. General Burhan, who has decided to extend his rule for two years, promises elections in July 2023.

Source: AMPE