Khartoum Locked Down After Coup in Sudan Triggers Deadly Unrest

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The Sudanese capital of Khartoum was locked down on Tuesday, a day after the army seized power in a coup that triggered unrest in which at least seven people were killed.

Roads were blocked, shops were shut, phones were down and mosque loudspeakers blared calls for a general strike in Sudan.

On Monday Sudan’s military leader declared a nationwide state of emergency and dissolved the transitional cabinet and the Sudan Sovereign Council.

The sovereign council is a joint military and civilian body created after the removal of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019 amid widespread protests led by the Forces of Freedom and Change movement. It was established to lead the country until democratic elections to be held in 2023.

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said the military will continue the process towards democracy and elections in 2023, but he also announced the suspension of several articles related to the constitutional document governing the transitional period.

“We have started our path towards the state of freedom and peace but some political powers are still trying to maintain everything in their hands, without giving attention to political, economic and social threats,” he said.

But according to Article 78 of the constitutional document, amendments or suspensions to the document require the support of two-thirds of the members of the Transitional Legislative Council.

Source: Reuters