OREANDA-NEWS. The military putschists in Sudan, who arrested most members of the government, imposed a state of emergency in the country. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced the dissolution of the Government and the so-called Sovereign Council, which controlled the process of democratization of the country and which included both military and civilians.

Al-Burhan, who himself headed the council, explained his actions by the need to ensure the security of Sudan. He promised that the military would continue the process of the country's transition to democracy until the election of a civilian government. The General has scheduled elections for July 2023. Until then, Sudan will be ruled by an independent government, he said.

The Association of Sudanese Trade Unions (SPA) called on the people for a general strike and civil disobedience to express disagreement with the actions of the putschists. «We call on the masses to take to the streets and occupy them, block all roads with barricades, declare a general strike, not cooperate with the putschists and resort to civil disobedience in protest», the SPA appeal says.

In the Sudanese capital Khartoum, tens of thousands of people, responding to this call, began to erect barricades and marched towards the headquarters of the armed forces. Shooting and burning barricades are reported. The demonstrators demand the withdrawal of the army from the government and democratic reforms.

According to the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders, at least 12 people were injured as a result of clashes and shooting in Khartoum. Shots rang out near the headquarters of the armed forces. The military did not comment on reports of clashes and casualties. The Ministry of Information of Sudan reported that Prime Minister Abdullah Hamduk was arrested and taken to an unknown place after he refused to sign a statement in support of the coup.