Persistent crisis: Sudan's Prime Minister resigns
Created: 01/03/2022, 04:01 AM
Protesters in the Sudanese capital Khartoum chant slogans against the military coup of October 2021. © Marwan Ali / AP / dpa
In October, the military had ousted Abdullah Hamdok, and in November he was reinstated after international pressure.
His resignation now creates a political vacuum in the country.
Khartoum - Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok has resigned surprisingly in the north-east African crisis state of Sudan.
"I've decided to announce my resignation and make room for others," said Hamdok on state television late on Sunday evening.
He said he could not keep his promise to prevent a political catastrophe in the country in the Horn of Africa.
For months there have been repeated demonstrations in the country against the participation of the military in the transitional government.
The military seized power in a coup at the end of October and overthrew Hamdok.
Only after pressure from home and abroad was he reinstated as head of government after he had signed an agreement for a new interim government with the military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Dozens of civilian casualties
According to the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, 56 civilians have been killed in protests since the coup, two of whom were killed by security forces on Sunday.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the security forces' actions last week.
The US is ready to "respond to those who block the efforts of the Sudanese people for a civil, democratic government," said Blinken on Saturday.
The demonstrators are calling for the military to hand over power to a civilian government and accusing Hamdok of treason.
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The coup on October 25th was preceded by months of protests in which people called for political and economic reforms and the withdrawal of the military from the transitional government.
On November 21, Hamdok was reinstated as head of government.
According to his agreement with General Al-Burhan, Hamdok was allowed to form a cabinet with civil representatives.
As the leader of the Sovereign Council, however, Al-Burhan headed the new interim government together with Hamdok.
The Sovereign Council also includes representatives of the military who are accused of serious human rights violations and corruption.
Uncertain future
Hamdok's resignation puts Sudan in a political vacuum.
It remained unclear on Sunday evening whether a civilian politician or a military representative would take over Hamdok's post.
Sudan was ruled with a hard hand by Omar al-Bashir for almost 30 years.
The long-term ruler was driven out of office in April 2019 by months of mass protests and a military coup.
The military and civil opposition then agreed on a transitional government that would pave the way for democratic elections in 2022.
In addition, extensive economic reforms were planned that would have caused the military to suffer significant economic losses.
The military was also against the Hamdok-driven reappraisal of human rights violations.
dpa
