Skip to main content

Top UN officials urge Sudan coup leaders to reverse course

New arrests have been reported as the United Nations holds an emergency session on the coup in Khartoum.
AFP via Getty Images

The head of the United Nations’ High Commission for Human Rights condemned last week’s coup in Sudan and urged Sudanese military leaders to reinstate civilian government officials.

Michelle Bachelet urged Sudan’s military leaders “and their backers” on Friday to “step back in order to allow the country to return to the path of progress towards institutional and legal reforms.”

Bachelet slammed the Sudanese military’s use of force against protesters. At least 13 people have been killed and more than 300 injured since last Monday’s military takeover, according to the Associated Press.

The commissioner’s condemnation came during an urgent session of the rights body in New York on Friday.

Nearly two weeks since the coup, most the transitional government officials detained have yet to be freed. About 25 officials are facing charges under the junta, an attorney for deposed officials told Al Jazeera.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok remains under house arrest and has reportedly refused to front a new government selected by military leadership, which would violate Sudan’s 2019 constitution.

Hamdok remains under armed guard but has been allowed to meet with international diplomats attempting to mediate a way out of the crisis. 

“Events since the coup have recalled a somber page in the country’s history when freedom of expression was stifled and human rights were comprehensively repressed,” Bachelet said, drawing a contrast to coup leader Gen. Abdel Fatah al-Burhan’s claims that he was placing Sudan’s 2019 pro-democracy revolution back on track.

Earlier on Friday the UN’s top envoy for Sudan, Volker Perthes, slammed a spate of new arrests of Sudanese government officials.

The latests arrests came just hours after Sudanese state television said the military had ordered four civilian government officials freed. 

Burhan received a phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken yesterday. Blinken called for an immediate release of Sudanese officials, an end to the military’s state of emergency and a return to the joint civilian-military transitional government process, according to the State Department.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also urged Burhan to release detainees and return to the constitutional transition during a phone call yesterday. 

Washington has pushed for international pressure against the coup, freezing billions in debt relief previously set aside for the country’s planned transition to democracy.

US officials are hoping heavy economic pressure and broad international opposition to the coup will convince Sudanese military officials to reverse course.

“There are positive incentives, but there are also potential and real repercussions" if Sudan's coup leaders do not reverse course, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Thursday.

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

The Middle East in your inbox Insights in your inbox.

Deepen your knowledge of the Middle East

Trend Reports

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 22, 2019. (Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HOW HWEE YOUNG/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity

A general view shows the solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, on March 29, 2018. - On March 27, Saudi announced a deal with Japan's SoftBank to build the world's biggest solar plant. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

Regulations on Middle East renewable energy industry starting to take shape

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial