Asmaa Al-Hussaini (Cairo, Khartoum)
The Sudanese army commander, Lieutenant-General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, met yesterday with the delegation of the Arab League headed by Ambassador Hossam Zaki, the Secretary-General of the League. Al-Burhan reiterated the armed forces’ full commitment to democratic transformation, and their keenness to protect the gains of the Sudanese revolution and achieve the aspirations of the people.
During the meeting, Al-Burhan praised the great role played by the Arab League in supporting and making the transitional period successful, and paying attention to Sudan’s issues.
On October 25, Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency in the country, and dissolved the Sovereignty Council, which he headed, and the government headed by Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, who was arrested for a short period, before being released to his house, where he was placed under house arrest.
For his part, Ambassador Hossam Zaki explained that the delegation conveyed a verbal message from the Secretary-General of the League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, confirming the League’s support for the democratic transition in Sudan, indicating the importance of dialogue, and its adoption of a basic means of dealing with crises that arise during the democratic transition process.
This comes at a time when large sectors in Sudan responded yesterday to the call of the gathering of professionals for civil disobedience and a comprehensive strike, which is scheduled to extend to today, but Sudanese citizens told Al-Ittihad: that the Sudanese authorities cut off the Internet disrupted the movement, and work from In order to restore civilian rule, many citizens did not receive calls for disobedience due to the interruption of the “internet”.
Meanwhile, Al-Burhan issued a decision to dismiss five directors of government banks due to the crisis in Sudan and to appoint others in their place, namely the directors of the Workers’ Bank, the Industrial Development Bank, the Niles Bank, the Nile Bank, and the Savings Bank.
Al-Burhan also issued a decision to relieve the Director of the University of Khartoum, Dr. Fadwa Abdel-Rahman Ali Taha, from her post.
Sudanese sources said: The exemption decision comes against the background of the University of Khartoum administration’s announcement to suspend studies indefinitely, and to evacuate students from university housing.
The university said, in a statement: The students were evacuated for the sake of their safety, after elements wearing military uniforms entered the university campus and attacked some professors and students during the past days.
The Teachers’ Committee in Sudan said that the security forces used tear gas at the Ministry of Education building in Khartoum state to disperse a sit-in demanding a civilian government.
Yesterday, Sudanese security forces dispersed demonstrations in Khartoum and Omdurman using tear gas.
In another development, 3 armed movements in the “Revolutionary Front” announced their rejection of the army’s control of power in Sudan.
The movements led by Malik Agar, Al-Hadi Idris and Al-Taher Hajar said in a unified statement issued by the leadership council of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front yesterday that they affirm their firm position against the announcement of Al-Burhan, and that they are with respect for the will of the Sudanese people, democratic transformation and building a civil state.
The Revolutionary Front renewed its commitment to the constitutional document and the implementation of the Juba Agreement for the Peace of Sudan. The Revolutionary Front demanded the unconditional release of all detainees, led by Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, and Yasser Arman, a member of the Revolutionary Front’s Leadership Council and Deputy Secretary-General.
The Revolutionary Front announced its rejection and condemnation of the repeated arrests of politicians, members of the Empowerment Removal Committee, resistance committees, and activists. The Front denounced and announced its refusal to use excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.
The Front demanded the lifting of the state of emergency to create the atmosphere for serious dialogue, which would lead Sudan out of the slip.
The National Umma Party announced, in a statement, its rejection of all decisions issued by the army to dismiss civil service leaders who are not loyal to them, and to replace them with cadres of “remnants of the regime of ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir,” and affirmed its position rejecting the army’s control of power, and its resistance by all peaceful means.
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