THE African Union (AU) has suspended Sudan‘s membership days after the military launched a brutal crackdown on protesters that killed dozens of people in the country.
The AU’s Peace and Security Department said in a post on Twitter on Thursday said that Sudan’s participation in all AU activities would be suspended with immediate effect – “until the effective establishment of a civilian-led transitional authority,” which it described as the only way to “exit from the current crisis”.
The announcement followed an emergency meeting by the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, after the violent dispersal of a protest camp in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, began on Monday.
The #AU Peace and Security Council has with immediate effect suspended the participation of the Republic of #Sudan in all #AU activities until the effective establishment of a Civilian-led Transitional Authority, as the only way to allow the Sudan to exit from the current crisis pic.twitter.com/ioBlnfnxcl
— African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security (@AUC_PAPS) June 6, 2019
At least 108 people have been reportedly killed and more than 500 wounded.
While the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) alleged that over 40 bodies were pulled from the river Nile on Tuesday and taken to an undisclosed location by the Paramilitary Rapid Response Force (RSF)
Sudan’s pro-democracy leaders have vowed to continue their campaign of civil disobedience until the Transitional Military Council (TMC) –which has ruled Sudan since long-time leader Omar al – Bashir was overthrown in a coup in April- is removed and killers of protesters brought to justice.
In addition, the Sudanese Professional Association on Thursday urged protesters to block main roads and bridges to “paralyse public life” across the country in retaliation for the military crackdown.
The United Nations on Thursday pulled all non-critical members of staff from Sudan amid concerns over violence amidst plans for Abiy Ahmed Ethiopian Prime Minister arrival in Khartoum on Friday to launch mediation efforts.