Panafrican News Agency

PM Hamdouk promises action to ensure transition to democracy after foiled coup attempt in Sudan

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA)- Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdouk appeared on national television and official media on Tuesday to announced that the authorities have nipped in the buds a coup attempt that targeted the two-year old hybrid government in the early hours of the day.

“You have been following the failed coup attempt today that was targeting the revolution and the great achievements scored by our people, to undermine the civil transition to democracy and to close the door before the march of history. But, as usual, the determination of our people has been stronger: a setback is impossible,” the Prime Minister said.

The usually smiley economist, Prime Minister Hamdouk appeared with grim no nonsense face. But he provided no further details as to who was behind the foiled coup.

He, however, made it clear that he meant business, that he held lengthy meetings with his political cradle, the forces for freedom and change, and with the President of the Sovereign Council- the collective presidency- under Lt. Gen. Abdul Fatah al Burhan, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in the country.

“What has happened is a planned coup d’état masterminded by forces within, and outside the army. It is a continuation of the attempts by the remnants of the defunct regime aimed to abort the democratic civilian transition in the country," Hamdouk said.   

The Prime Minister confirmed persistent rumours in the past couple of weeks about coup planning, saying “this attempt was preceded by wide preparations and  including stirring insecurity in eastern Sudan, attempts to block main national highways and blocking sea and land ports with the aim of frustrating petroleum production to stir up anti-government sentiments.

He said the coup attempt was a reflection of the situation in the country that requires a reform of the security and military bodies

He said it also means a thorough and transparent revision of the whole transitional period should be carried out. A partnership based on the slogans and on the principles of the revolution should be rekindled in a way that lead to only one passage “of civilian democratic transition and nothing else.”

Hamdouk indicated that an unspecified number of persons have been arrested in connection with the coup attempt. “They will be identified so that Sudanese people and the world at large will know them and they be held accountable both to the military and civilians and within the law and in all transparency,” he explained.

He said the coup attempt occurred at a time the Sudanese economy was healing and the economic reform programme’s dividends were cropping up.

“This is to yet reinforce the need to exercise full control of all the resources and financial revenues and direct them towards improving the living conditions of our people,” the prime minister stressed in a reference to the control by the army of huge corporate and avoidance to have the ministry of finance exercise any control over those military companies.

He further called on the people and elements of the revolution to exercise their rights within the law in backing the civilian government and in supporting the democratic transition, the establishment of the legislature, the Supreme Court and the higher judiciary council and other commissions

Hamdouk said he has dwelt long on the issue with the military and civilian politicians on “this very important issue and we will continue our discussions on this vital matter and place all the facts in front of our people”.

Earlier, the national radio and TV and the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) broadcast live coverage of the extraordinary joint session between the Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Hamdouk and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC).

It was followed by a broadcast of the Head of the Transitional Sovereign Council, Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan visiting armoured corps in Al-Shagara Military Area, where he saluted the officers and soldiers. He thanked them for their wisdom in dealing with the thwarted coup attempt elements, meaning no blood was shed in ending the coup attempt peacefully.

-0- PANA MO/AR 21Sept2021