Sudan: USA stops $ 700 million in aid after coup

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Burning barricades in Khartoum

Photo: - / AFP

In view of the takeover of power by the military in Sudan, the US government is temporarily suspending aid payments to the East African country.

The US State Department spokesman, Ned Price, said on Monday (local time) in Washington that aid amounting to 700 million US dollars would be stopped for the time being.

The money was intended to support the democratic transition in Sudan.

Price demanded that the country's military immediately release all detained political actors, fully restore the civilian-led transitional government and refrain from any violence.

The military in Sudan had previously seized power in a coup.

The highest military representative in the country, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced the disempowerment of civilian members of the government on Monday.

A state of emergency will be imposed across the country, said al-Burhan in a televised address.

A message on the Ministry of Information's official Facebook page said that Prime Minister Abdullah Hamduk had been abducted by the military to an undisclosed location.

According to UN information, journalists were also taken into custody.

A White House spokeswoman said Monday that it was "deeply concerned" about the reports from Sudan.

"We reject the action of the military and demand the immediate release of the Prime Minister and others who have been placed under house arrest."

UN Council meets after the escalation

The Internet, the cellular network and parts of the landline network have not been accessible since the early hours of the morning on Monday.

"In connection with internal political unrest in Khartoum extensive bridges and roadblocks were erected, both by the military and as part of demonstrations," said the Foreign Office in a statement.

On Tuesday the UN Security Council wants to deal with the situation in the East African country in an emergency meeting on Tuesday.

At the request of the USA, Great Britain, France, Estonia, Ireland and Norway, the most powerful UN body is expected to meet behind closed doors in New York time in the afternoon.

On this day, the ambassadors are returning to the United States from a joint work trip from the Sahel region.

jok / dpa