Khartoum: The Sudanese transitional government, including Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, and other civilian leaders, may have been arrested between reports of a military coup.
Sudanese Military and civilian leaders have been at odds since Omar al-Bashir’s rule was overthrown two years ago and the transitional government stepped in.
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Pro-democracy protesters were seen roaming the streets of the capital, Khartoum. As video footage of the city showed lit barricades and protesters entering the area adjoining the military’s headquarters, with soldiers looking on.
The military has not commented on the situation so far, and it is unclear who is behind these pre-dawn arrests.
The information ministry reported on Facebook saying a “joint military force carried out the detentions.” And those arrested were held at an “unidentified location.”
The ministry said soldiers had taken over the state broadcaster and detained staff there.
It also said Hamdok was being pressed to support a coup but refused the demand. Instead urged the people to continue peaceful protests to “defend the revolution.”
The United States was “deeply alarmed” by the coup reports, its special envoy for the Horn of Africa. The UN, EU, and Arab League also expressed deep concern.
The coup and the civilian government’s arrests come after weeks of rising tensions between Sudanese civilians and military leadership.
