Panafrican News Agency

Three organisations condemn violence against protesters in Sudan

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU) and the East African development bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), on Monday strongly condemned what they described as the continued use of excessive force against Sudanese civilians protesting an end to military rule in the country.

The three organizations’ representatives are currently engaged in a political facilitation process aimed at reconciling the military establishment with civilian groupings, including political parties, to usher in a civilian-led government in Sudan and to end a year-long military take over that removed the cabinet formed after the downfall of President Omar Bashir’s rule in 2019.

The three organizations formed what is known as the trilateral mechanism.

“The Trilateral Mechanism condemns the continued use of excessive force against protesters in Sudan, which has reportedly led to the killing of two persons last Thursday in Omdurman, bringing the total death toll to 121 and hundreds of injured since the military coup on 25 October 2021,” the statement underlined.

It added that the AU-IGAD-UN envoys extend heartfelt condolences to the victims' families.

The statement added that the “Trilateral Mechanism” recalled that “everyone has a right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression”.

The mechanism called on the Sudanese authorities to investigate these incidents and swiftly bring those responsible to justice.

It reminded the government and opposition that the AU-IGAD-UN envoys continue to work for the restoration of a transitional period, which would be sustainable and would allow for the formation of a credible civil, democratic, and accountable government to bring peace and development to the country.

-0- PANA MO/MA 28Nov2022