Sudan's Ambassadors Urge Western Governments to Reject 'Coup'

Sudanese protesters in Khartoum denouncing overnight detentions by the army of government members (AFP)
Sudanese protesters in Khartoum denouncing overnight detentions by the army of government members (AFP)
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Sudan's Ambassadors Urge Western Governments to Reject 'Coup'

Sudanese protesters in Khartoum denouncing overnight detentions by the army of government members (AFP)
Sudanese protesters in Khartoum denouncing overnight detentions by the army of government members (AFP)

A statement by a number of Sudanese ambassadors denounced the use of violence against peaceful protests, calling for the release of all detainees and civil officials, namely Prime Minister Abdala Hamdok.

The diplomats call comes as the US governmental and legislative institutions continue to support the popular demands for the return of the civilian rule and the rejection of the military coup.

The US Embassy in Khartoum tweeted a statement expressing its "deep regrets" over the loss of life and injuries of dozens of Sudanese citizens demonstrating for "freedom and democracy" and condemned the "excessive use of force."

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) also expressed its regret at the continued blackout of internet services in Sudan, which marked Monday its third week since the army took power in Sudan against the "will of the people," saying "internet blackout continues for the 22nd day, further exacerbating economic hardships and stifling the rights of free speech and peaceful assembly."

A statement from the "Committee of Sudanese Ambassadors and Diplomats Against the Coup 25" denounced the "unilateral decisions" taken by the country's military leadership by forming a new Sovereignty Council to lead the country, saying, they are "void" in form and content.

The statement, which Asharq Al-Awsat obtained a copy of, demanded the release of the "legitimate" prime minister and all detained prisoners, asserting support to the Sudanese people in their struggle for "freedom, peace, and justice."

"We stand with our Sudanese people" in their protests against the coup to "restore constitutional legitimacy and democratic civil rule in the country."

In their statement, the diplomats, led by the ambassador to Washington Nureldin Satti, warned against violence and bullets during peaceful protests.

They asserted that the right to peaceful demonstration is guaranteed in all national and international constitutions and laws, noting that all previous "marches of millions" were exemplary behavior.

In an interview with the Voice of America (VOA), Satti said he continues to engage with the US administration and Congress to explain the Sudanese position rejecting the coup.

The ambassador asserted that there is overwhelming support to his position and that of his colleagues who have taken the same position.

Satti, who was appointed after Sudan was removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism in 2019, indicated that he held meetings with the diaspora representatives in the US.

"It was a very good meeting, and we agreed to work together. And I believe that my colleagues also in other embassies, like the one in Brussels, and Paris, Geneva, Beijing, South Africa, and New York are doing the same thing."

The Sudanese ambassador, who was asked by the junta to comply with the new decisions or to resign, declared that he is working with the US officials "to put pressure on the coup perpetrators in order to reverse the action that they have taken, and to take the country back to where it was."

He added that they should accept to "engage wholeheartedly with the civilian component in order to take the country out of this crisis. A military coup has never resolved problems. […] The United States [has] to put pressure on the coup plotters in order to change. We have nothing against the military, but our problem is certain people in the military who do not want this revolution to move forward."

Meanwhile, the regional director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa, Hala al-Karib, said in an article in Newsweek magazine that "innocent and unarmed" Sudanese protesters are again demanding their right to live in a peaceful democracy.

"Once again they paid for their demands with their lives."

She said that one week after the military arrested Hamdok and dissolved the country's civilian leadership, tens of thousands rallied in Khartoum and across the country.

She explained that after the security forces fired tear gas and live rounds at least 11 peaceful demonstrators were killed and over 100 injured.

Karib criticized Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's thin excuse that the coup was "necessary to maintain stability," noting that he is exposed by his refusal to transfer leadership of the joint sovereign council to civilian control, which is demanded by most Sudanese.

She held Burhan and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan "Hemeti" Dagolo accountable for their historic crimes and threatened their illicit economic networks.

"The latest military coup in Sudan is another attempt to draw the country back into a dark corner. It will ultimately fail."



Series of Israeli Airstrikes Hit Central Beirut, At Least 1 Building Destroyed

Rescue workers and people search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Rescue workers and people search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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Series of Israeli Airstrikes Hit Central Beirut, At Least 1 Building Destroyed

Rescue workers and people search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Rescue workers and people search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Powerful Israeli airstrikes targeted central Beirut on Saturday, resulting in a large number of fatalities and injuries and destroying an eight-story building, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

Footage broadcast by TV stations showed at least one destroyed building and several others badly damaged around it in the Basta neighborhood.

Israel used bunker buster bombs in the strike, leaving a deep crater, said NNA. Beirut smelled strongly of explosives hours after the attack.
The blasts shook the capital around 4 a.m.

NNA said at least five bombs were dropped in the attack.
It marked the fourth Israeli airstrike this week targeting a central area of Beirut, where the bulk of Israel's attacks have targeted the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs.

On Sunday an Israeli airstrike killed Hezbollah's media relations chief Mohammad Afif in the Ras al-Nabaa district of central Beirut.

The Israeli military did not issue a warning for Basta's residents to evacuate prior to the strike and did not immediately issue a statement on it.

Israel has killed several Hezbollah leaders in airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs.

Meanwhile, heavy ground fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants was ongoing in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops have pushed farther from the border.