We Seized Power To Avert Civil War – Sudan’s Coup Leader

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

The coupists had dissolved civilian rule, arrested political leaders and declared a state of emergency claiming that political groups had been inciting civilians against the military

Sudan’s coup leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has said the military seized power on Monday to prevent “civil war”.

He added that the deposed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was being kept at the general’s house “for his own safety” and would be allowed home soon.

Protests are continuing for a second day in the capital, Khartoum, with roads, bridges and shops closed. Phone and internet links are also disrupted.

At least 10 people are reported to have been killed since the unrest began.

“The dangers we witnessed last week could have led the country into civil war,” he told a news conference.

“The prime minister was at his house but we feared that he will be harmed and he is now with me in my house.

“I was with him last night…and he is going about his life…he will return to his home when the threats are over.”

Gen. Burhan said he had dissolved civilian rule, arrested political leaders and called a state of emergency as political groups had been inciting civilians against the security forces.

The coup has drawn global condemnation with the US, the UK, EU, UN and African Union, of which Sudan is a member, all demanding the immediate release of all arrested political leaders which includes members of Hamdok’s cabinet.

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said Sudan was among an “epidemic of coups d’etats” affecting Africa and Asia, and he urged the world’s “big powers” to band together for “effective deterrence” through the UN Security Council.

Since Monday, troops are reported to have been going house to house in Khartoum arresting local protest organisers.

According to the BBC, thousands more people have joined the protests in the capital, mainly in residential neighbourhoods near the city centre.

The city’s airport is closed and international flights are suspended.

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Yinka Akanbi

Yinka is an aesthete and a cosmopolite.