New York City January 4, ANI The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the continued violence against protesters in Sudan after the military takeover on 25 October.
In his statement, Antonio Guterres called on the Sudanese security forces to exercise the utmost restraint and to fulfill their obligations in relation to the rights to freedom of assembly and expression.
Guterres took note of the resignation of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. According to the news agencies, Hamdok resigned after a day of mass protests that rocked the capital of the country, Khartoum.
After being detained during the military takeover on 25 October, the Prime Minister had been reinstated after a deal was reached to share power with the army.
Guterres regrets that a political understanding on the way forward is not in place despite the gravity of the situation. Sudanese aspirations for a transition that leads to a democratic dispensation are critical. He said that the UN remains ready to support these efforts.
Volker Perthes, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan, noted the Prime Minister's decision to step down.
Perthes said in his statement that he respects the decision and commends the accomplishments made under his leadership, as well as the significant achievements he made during the first phase of the transitional period.