IGAD expresses strong disapproval of ‘attempts to undermine’ Sudan transition after military takeover

KHARTOUM – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) which mediated the Juba peace agreement signed by the Sudanese military and rebel factions in Juba last year has issued a statement condemning what it calls ‘attempts to undermine transitional government’ in Sudan.

This comes hours after the head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdelfattah al Burhan imposed a state of emergency, dissolved the Transitional Sovereign Council, and relieving all acting state governors just after a security crackdown on civilian leaders led to arrest of senior government officials including Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

In the statement issued this afternoon, the regional block, which also mediated South Sudan’s revitalized peace agreement, said it is alarming by the developments in Sudan given Sudan’s role as the chair of the IGAD and expressed strong disapproval of the disagreements between the military and the civilian leaders which has led to unrest in the streets of Khartoum.

“The IGAD Executive Secretary is alarmed by the current political developments in Sudan and is following the situation very closely. The Executive Secretary strongly condemns any attempt to undermine the transitional government & urges all parties to exercise utmost restraint,” the brief IGAD statement reads.

“Sudan is the current chair and important founding member of IGAD and the organisation stands ready to support the transitional government of Sudan and the Sudanese people consolidate peace and democratic gains,” it added