Internet Cut Off and Airport Also Closed
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] In North African Sudan, the military staged a coup and arrested civilian ministers including Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.
According to foreign media such as AFP on the 25th (local time), Sudan's intelligence agency announced in a Facebook statement that Prime Minister Hamdok, several transitional government ministers, and civilian members of the Sovereignty Council?a joint ruling body involving the Sudanese military and opposition?were arrested.
The intelligence agency explained that the "Joint Forces" executed the coup and pressured Prime Minister Hamdok to issue a pro-coup statement. However, Hamdok, under house arrest, urged the public through a statement to resist peacefully to protect the revolution, after which he was taken to an undisclosed location, the intelligence agency reported.
The military authorities cut off the internet and blocked bridges leading to the capital, Khartoum. Sky News Arabia, a Middle East and North Africa satellite broadcaster, also reported that Khartoum Airport was closed.
The military, which staged the coup, is expected to release an official statement on the situation soon via state television.
Sudan ousted the 30-year dictator former President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 through a military coup. Since then, the military and opposition formed a "Sovereignty Council," but instability continued. The transitional government, formed by agreement between the military and opposition, has been leading efforts for a full return to civilian rule and had planned elections for 2024. However, ongoing economic difficulties dating back to the al-Bashir regime and divisions among factions participating in the transitional government have perpetuated political, economic, and social instability, leading to speculation that the agreement to form a parliament during the three-year transitional period may be difficult to uphold.
Meanwhile, there was also a coup attempt on the 25th of last month. On the 16th and 17th, thousands of citizens gathered in front of the presidential palace, protesting and urging General Abdel Fattah Burhan, the military leader, to carry out a coup and remove the incompetent government.
An official from the Prime Minister's Office claimed that the military authorities provoked unrest and exploited this crisis as an opportunity for a coup. Last weekend, Jeffrey Feltman, the U.S. Special Envoy for East Africa, met with military and civilian leaders in an attempt to mediate the conflict.
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