The United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Wednesday spoke with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi to “solicit her views about what steps the United States can take to support the Sudanese people in their call for a civilian-led transition to democracy in accordance with the Sudanese Constitutional Declaration,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.
The Secretary reiterated the U.S. condemnation of the military takeover and urged the immediate release of the detained civilian leaders.
Blinken also spoke with African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, and “welcomed the decision by the AU Peace and Security Council to suspend Sudan, noting the importance leadership role the AU plays on democracy and stability in Africa,” Price added.
Price said the Secretary and the Chairperson agreed that Sudan must return to civilian leadership in accordance with the 2019 Constitutional Declaration, and both leaders “reaffirmed the importance of the right of the Sudanese people to peacefully assemble and express their demand for civilian rule free from armed or other forceful interference.”
Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa. Simon covers President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. government, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington D.C. and New York City.