Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
The United States government on Monday condemned the dictatorship in Sudan and the killing of peaceful protesters in Chad.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken recalled that “almost one year ago today, the Sudanese military overthrew the government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, contravened Sudan’s Constitutional Declaration, and undermined the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people.”
“On this somber anniversary, we honor the Sudanese people who continue to demand freedom, peace, and justice under a democratic government and remember those who died while pursuing those goals,” he said.
Blinken added, “The Sudanese people have shown themselves as unshakeable in their aspiration for a civilian-led government that shows respect for their dignity and is responsive to their needs.
“The continued willingness of Sudanese protestors, often in the face of violent suppression by security forces, to demonstrate in support of an end to military rule is deeply inspiring. The United States welcomes inclusive initiatives to find an exit from Sudan’s political crisis that ends military rule and restores the country’s democratic transition.
“We continue to support the UN, AU, and IGAD Tripartite Mechanism and urge all Sudanese actors to prioritize engaging constructively in dialogue.
“Time is of the essence to reach agreement on a new transitional framework and a civilian-led government to carry forward Sudan’s democratic transition. Achieving a new civilian-led government is the key that unlocks resumption of international assistance. We stand ready to use all the tools at our disposal against those who seek to derail progress toward Sudan’s democratic transition.
“As we did a year ago, we continue to reject military rule and stand with the people of Sudan in their demands for freedom, peace, and justice for all Sudanese.”
In a separate statement, the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Samantha Power, said that she was “deeply alarmed by the reports that dozens of demonstrators have been killed in Chad after the ruling Transitional Military Council extended their original 18-month transition period.”
“The United States condemns this violence, and urges authorities and law enforcement to respect the right of Chadians to assemble peacefully and pursue their aspirations for a transition to a peaceful, inclusive, civilian-led government,” she said.
“We join with our partners in the international community in appealing for calm, and call for the members of the Transitional Military Council to commit themselves to the peaceful and democratic resolution of Chad’s long-running governance crisis, including by honoring the directive of the African Union Peace and Security Council and their own public declarations not to stand in the upcoming elections.
“The United States will continue to support the people of Chad in their pursuit of a civilian government elected via a free and fair process that respects the human rights and dignity of all Chadians.”