He was unable to keep his promise to prevent a political catastrophe, said Abdullah Hamdok. Demonstrations had been bloodily suppressed for weeks.
In Sudan’s crisis state, Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok has resigned surprisingly. “I have decided to announce my resignation and make room for others,” said Hamdok live on state television late on Sunday evening. He said he could not keep his promise to prevent a political catastrophe in the country in the Horn of Africa.
A few days ago, as in the previous weeks, there were again bloody demonstrations against the transitional government, in which the military is involved, in Sudan. The protesters called for the military to hand over power to a civilian government. The protesters accused Hamdok of treason.
The military ousted Hamdok in October
On October 25, the military took power in the country of 44 million people and ousted Prime Minister Hamdok. After pressure from home and abroad, Hamdok was reinstated on November 21st.
According to an agreement between Hamdok and the military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Hamdok was allowed to form a cabinet with civilian representatives. However, as the leader of the Sovereign Council, Al-Burhan headed the new interim government together with Hamdok. The Sovereign Council also includes representatives of the military who are accused of serious human rights abuses and corruption.
Since a military coup in October there have been repeated mass rallies against the army, which are brutally suppressed. There were always injuries and deaths.
There had already been mass protests in Sudan in 2019. The military then overthrew the regime of long-time President Omar al-Bashir and set up a transitional government made up of civilians and the military.