عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

US Secretary of State Calls for Forming Civilian-Led Govt in Sudan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (AP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (AP)
TT
20
TT

US Secretary of State Calls for Forming Civilian-Led Govt in Sudan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (AP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (AP)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for ending the “military” rule in Sudan and welcomed inclusive initiatives to find an exit from the country’s political crisis and restoring its democratic transition.

Blinken made the remarks in a press statement issued on the occasion of the one year anniversary of military takeover in Sudan on Oct 25.

He stressed that forming a new civilian-led government is the key that unlocks resumption of international assistance.

“Almost one year ago today, the Sudanese military overthrew the government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, contravened Sudan’s Constitutional Declaration, and undermined the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people,” the statement read.

On this “somber” anniversary, Blinken said the United States honors the Sudanese people who continue to demand freedom, peace, and justice under a democratic government and remembers those who died while pursuing those goals.

“The Sudanese people have shown themselves as unshakeable in their aspiration for a civilian-led government that shows respect for their dignity and is responsive to their needs.”

He pointed out that the continued willingness of Sudanese protestors, often in the face of violent suppression by security forces, to demonstrate in support of an end to military rule is “deeply inspiring.”

He underlined the US’s continued support to the United Nations, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Tripartite Mechanism and urged all Sudanese actors to prioritize engaging constructively in dialogue.

Blinken affirmed that time is of the essence to reach agreement on a new transitional framework and a civilian-led government to carry forward Sudan’s democratic transition.

The US stands ready to use all the tools at its disposal against those who seek to derail progress toward Sudan’s democratic transition, the senior official noted, which was considered a hint that new sanctions may be imposed on whoever obstructs the democratic transition process in the country.

“As we did a year ago, we continue to reject military rule and stand with the people of Sudan in their demands for freedom, peace, and justice for all Sudanese,” the statement stressed.

State Department spokesman Ned Price also hailed the Sudanese people’s “longstanding struggle to achieve democratic, civilian-led governance.”

“We remain committed to helping the Sudanese people achieve the goals of their revolution, as a country that is stable, prosperous, and at peace with itself and its neighbors,” Price stated, urging all Sudanese actors to engage constructively in ongoing negotiations toward establishing a civilian-led transition.

In remarks on the same occasion, Price said the US remembers the countless Sudanese who have bravely and at great risk demanded freedom, peace, justice, and an end to military rule.

He called on the government – including the military and security services – to fully respect freedoms of association, expression, and peaceful assembly.

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

Hezbollah Sends Mixed Signals on Its Weapons

Hezbollah fighters stand before rocket launchers during military drill in Southern Lebanon, May 2023 (AP)
Hezbollah fighters stand before rocket launchers during military drill in Southern Lebanon, May 2023 (AP)
TT
20
TT

Hezbollah Sends Mixed Signals on Its Weapons

Hezbollah fighters stand before rocket launchers during military drill in Southern Lebanon, May 2023 (AP)
Hezbollah fighters stand before rocket launchers during military drill in Southern Lebanon, May 2023 (AP)

Hezbollah has sent conflicting signals about its stance on a US proposal delivered by American envoy Tom Barrack during his visit to Beirut two weeks ago. Barrack is expected to return early next week to seek official responses during meetings with top Lebanese officials — including President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

The US proposal reportedly calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament and for exclusive control of weapons to rest with the Lebanese state — a longstanding demand by Washington and its allies.

While senior Hezbollah officials, including MP Hussein Hajj Hassan, have said the group remains “resolute, composed and clear in its options” in the face of growing pressure, its parliamentary bloc, Loyalty to the Resistance, insisted that any talk about disarmament must follow an Israeli pullout from occupied Lebanese territory.

In a statement after its regular meeting chaired by MP Mohammad Raad, the bloc emphasized the need for a firm and sovereign Lebanese stance, stressing that Beirut had “fully adhered” to the ceasefire terms, while accusing Israel of repeatedly violating them.

“Lebanon remains committed to its national and sovereign rights, despite all the pressure, collusion and blatant bias shown by some major powers in favor of the Zionist enemy,” the statement read.

The bloc underscored that all discussions about national security strategy and stability must be rooted in a “framework of sovereignty,” and said the logical starting point is Israel’s withdrawal from occupied areas and its full compliance with the ceasefire.

Hezbollah has also begun a major strategic review in the aftermath of its destructive war with Israel, exploring ways to scale back its role as an armed group without fully relinquishing its weapons, three sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

The review comes amid increasing doubts over the level of support the group can expect from its main backer, Iran, which is itself emerging from a fierce conflict with Israel, according to a senior Lebanese official and a regional security source.

A senior Hezbollah figure with knowledge of the group’s internal deliberations said secret discussions are underway over its next steps.

The official, who requested anonymity, said small committees have been holding in-person and remote meetings to examine Hezbollah’s leadership structure, political role, social outreach, development work, and weapons arsenal.

According to the official and two other sources briefed on the talks, Hezbollah has concluded that the large weapons stockpile it amassed to deter Israel has now become a liability.

“Hezbollah had an excess of power, and all that power has become a curse,” the official said. “The group is not suicidal.”

Following the dismantling of most of its arsenal south of the Litani River - in line with previous agreements - Hezbollah is now considering handing over some of its heavy weapons from other parts of Lebanon, particularly drones and long-range missiles viewed as Israel’s top concern.

However, the sources said any such move would depend on Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and a halt to its military operations. Hezbollah has no intention of giving up its entire arsenal, they stressed. The group is expected to retain light arms and anti-tank missiles, which it views as a necessary deterrent against future attacks.

Amid these discussions, Hezbollah lawmakers have continued to defend the group’s armed status. MP Hussein Jishi, a member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, said it was “an illusion” for the Lebanese state to rely solely on diplomacy and international relations to reclaim occupied land.

“Seven months have passed since the ceasefire, and none of those bets have yielded any results,” he said. “Clinging to the resistance remains the only effective, national, human and moral choice to defend the country and preserve dignity.”

A European official familiar with Western intelligence assessments told Reuters that Hezbollah is engaged in extensive internal discussions about its future, but so far with no definitive outcome. The official described the group’s armed status as “part of its identity,” making it difficult to evolve into a purely political party.

Around a dozen sources with insight into Hezbollah’s thinking said the group is intent on keeping part of its arsenal not only due to threats from Israel but also out of concern that Sunni militants in neighboring Syria could exploit any security vacuum to launch attacks on eastern Lebanon - a stronghold of the Shi’ite group.