Djibouti, Djibouti,
October 26,2021— A short press release attributed to the Executive Secretary of IGAD, released through the IGAD website on Monday, says the Executive Secretary is alarmed by the current political developments in Sudan and it is following the situation very closely.
“The IGAD Executive Secretary is alarmed by the current political developments in Sudan and is following the situation very closely.” Reads the introduction of the IGAD statement.
The Executive Secretary strongly condemns the situation and calls on the parties to exercises utmost restraint.
“The Executive Secretary strongly condemns any attempt to undermine the transitional government and urges all parties to exercise utmost restraint.” The Executive Secretary said.
He further calls for the immediate release of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and all arrested political leaders.
According to the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Sudan is the current chair and an important founding member of IGAD and therefore the organization stands ready to support the transitional government of Sudan and the Sudanese people consolidate peace and democratic gains.
In response to media and condemnations, the Sudanese military leader, who is in charge, Lt. Gen. Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, said his leadership decided to seize power to save the country from returning to a civil war, saying their politics was getting more polarized.
“The experience during the past two years has proven that the participation of political forces in the transitional period is flawed and stirs up strife.” Al-Burhan said while addressing a news conference on TUESDAY
“There were people who were talking about discriminating against others, and that was driving this country to reach a civil war that would lead to the fragmentation of this country, tearing apart its unity, its fabric and society. These dangers were in front of us,” Al-Burhan added.
“The whole country was deadlocked due to political rivalries,” Burhan said.
In response, the United States of America condemned the coup, declared its support for pro-democracy and warned that it has paused its $700 million assistance to Sudan.
“Those funds were intended to support the country’s democratic transition as we evaluate the next steps for Sudan programming,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said on monday..
“The arrest of civilian government officials and other political leaders, including Prime Minister Hamdok undermines the country’s transition to democratic civilian rule,” Price further continued.
While the IGAD countries may have a stronger voice in the region, the Eastern African leaders are yet to commend on the coup, possibly calculating their chances and deciding on when to respond.
