US won't resume assistance to Sudan without civilian government - statement

The United States will not resume economic assistance to Sudan that was paused after a coup unless there is an end to violence and a civilian-led government is restored, a statement posted by the U.S. embassy in Khartoum on Thursday said.

The statement, issued during a visit to Sudan by two senior U.S. envoys, said the United States would consider measures to hold accountable those responsible for a failure to move forward on a political transition and create a "peaceful environment" for it to proceed. It did not say what such measures could involve.

During their visit, Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee and Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield called for independent investigations into deaths and injuries among those protesting against the military since the Oct. 25 coup.

"They strongly condemned the use of disproportionate force against protesters, especially the use of live ammunition and sexual violence and the practice of arbitrary detention," the statement said.

Sudanese authorities say peaceful demonstrations are allowed and any violations against protesters will be investigated.

October's military takeover interrupted a transition that began after the ouster of former leader Omar al-Bashir in a 2019 uprising and was meant to lead to democratic elections.

 

 

 

REUTERS