Sudan junta calls British ambassador to order after critical tweets

The Foreign Ministry of Sudan’s ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) summoned the British Ambassador to Sudan, Ifran Siddiq, on Wednesday, following his recent comments on social media critical of human rights violations in Sudan.

Over the past week, Ambassador Siddiq has tweeted several comments criticising the violent dispersal by Sudanese militia and other forces of the sit-in in front of the General Command of the Sudanese army in Khartoum on Monday June 3.

Siddiq also tweeted his concern about the deportation of the SPLM-N goodwill delegation to Khartoum and the reported killing of 19 children in Sudan since June 3.

In a statement via the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) on Wednesday, the ministry summoned him “to express Sudan’s concerns and reservations about Mr Irfan’s statements and his unbalanced stance towards the current developments and events in the country,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The Ministry referred to “Irfan’s frequent tweets” saying they are “contrary to established diplomatic norms and the principle of sovereign equality of states in international law”.

The Sudanese officials complained that in his posts “the British ambassador disregards the circumstances of the bloody raid on the peaceful protest site and the TMC’s readiness to negotiate with the opposition”.

British ambassador Irfan Siddiq's tweet regarding the violence in Sudan

British ambassador Irfan Siddiq's tweet regarding the deportation of SPLM-N leader Yassir Arman and his delegation

---

Our editorial independence means that we can continue to provide factual updates about ongoing protests to Sudanese and international actors, educate people about how to avoid outbreaks of infectious diseases, and provide a window to the world for those in all corners of Sudan. Support Radio Dabanga for as little as €2.50, the equivalent of a cup of coffee.