Sudan junta to reinstate PM Abdallah Hamdok

The military junta under the leadership of Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, that seized power in Sudan in a coup d’état on October 25, plans to release all political detainees, and reinstate Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok to form an independent cabinet of technocrats, according to a deal brokered last night by mediators in Khartoum.

PM Hamdok, who has been under house arrest since the coup, arrived at the Presidential Palace this morning for a meeting coup leader, Gen El Burhan, and his deputy, Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ‘Hemeti’. Meanwhile, mass public protests continue in the streets outside, as tens of thousands of people converged in ‘The Earthquake of the People’, called by opposition groups spearheaded by the opposition Forces for Freedom and Change, who were the main drivers of the revolution that overthrew the 30-year Al Bashir dictatorship in 2019. The opposition forces have stated that they will not accept any deal with the military.

The march is again being met by tear gas from the security forces. At least 40 people have died since the coup occurred. The military have repeatedly responded with lethal force and fired on demonstrators with live ammunition – the latest casualty, a teenager who succumbed to a bullet wound to the head.

Speaking to reporters today, mediator Fadlallah Burma Nasir, who is head of the National Umma Party (NUP), confirmed that “a political agreement has been reached between Gen El Burhan, Abdalla Hamdok, political forces and civil society organisations for PM Hamdok’s return to his position, and the release of political detainees”.

An official announcement is expected this afternoon, following the meeting between Hamdok and El Burhan, however the outcome remains to be seen as the main opposition movements have stated that they “do not support any negotiations with the military”.