Sudan’s prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok has announced his resignation amid political deadlock and widespread protests following a military coup that derailed the country’s fragile transition to democratic rule.
Addressing the nation, Hamdok said stepping down would allow a chance for another person to lead the nation and complete its transition to a civilian democratic country.
“I decided to return the responsibility and declare my resignation as the prime minister,” he said, adding that his stepping down would allow a chance for another person to lead the nation and complete its transition to a “civilian, democratic country”.
The announcement came after three protesters were killed by Sudanese security forces during anti-coup demonstrations near the capital Sunday, the civilian-allied Sudanese Central Doctors Committee (SCDC) said.
Hamdok’s resignation comes amid a heavy security crackdown on protesters denouncing the military’s takeover and a subsequent deal that reinstated him and sidelined the pro-democracy movement.
Sudan had been ruled by an uneasy alliance between the military and civilian groups since 2019. But in October, the military effectively took control, dissolving the power-sharing Sovereign Council and transitional government, and temporarily detaining Hamdok, the prime minister.
The country’s military chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, reinstated Hamdok in November as part of a deal between the military and civilian leadership.
Under the deal agreed by Hamdok and Al-Burhan, Hamdok would again become leader of the transitional government, which was first established after strongman President Omar al-Bashir was ousted in 2019.
