Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, condemns coup in Sudan

The UN has urged on the military leaders behind Sudan’s coup to immediately reverse their actions and restore constitutional order.

Sudanese soldiers detained Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in what appears to be a coup attempt.

Soldiers seized government-owned media stations and proclaimed the disintegration of the country’s political leadership, as well as establishing a state of emergency.

The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has slammed the decision, saying in a tweet that the organization stands with the Sudanese people in their fight against the coup plotters.

He remarked in a tweet on Monday that people held captive by army must be freed.

Sudan has struggled internally with democracy, according to Guterres, and the troops’ latest move has pushed the country backwards.

“I condemn the ongoing military coup in Sudan. Prime Minister Hamdok and all other officials must be released immediately.

There must be full respect for the constitutional charter to protect the hard-won political transition. The UN will continue to stand with the people of Sudan,” he added.

According to people familiar with the situation in the country, an attempt by the military to grab control on September 21 was thwarted.