US imposes sanctions on Sudan police over protest crackdowns
Washington accuses police of using excessive force against protesters
21 March 2022 - 23:07
byDaphne Psaledakis and Katharine Jackson
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Sudanese demonstrators run from a teargas canister fired by riot policemen in Omdurman, Khartoum, in January. Picture: SUPPLIED
Washington — The US on Monday imposed sanctions on Sudan’s Central Reserve Police, accusing it of using excessive force against peaceful protesters demonstrating against last October's military coup.
The US treasury department said in a statement the Central Reserve Police, a division of the wider police force, has been at the forefront of the “violent response” of Sudanese security forces to peaceful protests in Khartoum.
It accused the group of firing live ammunition on protesters in January, adding that one protester was shot and died.
The force, alongside anti-riot police and police, chased protesters trying to flee the scene, arresting and beating some, fatally shooting another protester and injuring others, the department said.
“Since the October 25 military takeover, Sudan’s Central Reserve Police has used excessive force and violence intended to silence civilian activists and protesters,” the Treasury’s under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence Brian Nelson said in the statement.
“We condemn Sudan’s security services for killing, harassing, and intimidating Sudanese citizens.”
A police spokesperson could not be reached for comment. Military leaders have said peaceful protests are allowed and that protest casualties will be investigated.
Sudan has been rocked for months by protests organised by neighbourhood-based resistance committees.
The US, the UN and several countries have been critical of security crackdowns, which have killed at least 88 people since October.
Billions of dollars in foreign aid were suspended by Western countries and international financing institutions after the coup and military commanders have yet to appoint a prime minister to tackle the economic crisis.
The military says the coup was a necessary corrective measure after political infighting and has pledged to hand over power to a government appointed by consensus or elections. Protesters want an immediate exit of the military from politics.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
US imposes sanctions on Sudan police over protest crackdowns
Washington accuses police of using excessive force against protesters
Washington — The US on Monday imposed sanctions on Sudan’s Central Reserve Police, accusing it of using excessive force against peaceful protesters demonstrating against last October's military coup.
The US treasury department said in a statement the Central Reserve Police, a division of the wider police force, has been at the forefront of the “violent response” of Sudanese security forces to peaceful protests in Khartoum.
It accused the group of firing live ammunition on protesters in January, adding that one protester was shot and died.
The force, alongside anti-riot police and police, chased protesters trying to flee the scene, arresting and beating some, fatally shooting another protester and injuring others, the department said.
“Since the October 25 military takeover, Sudan’s Central Reserve Police has used excessive force and violence intended to silence civilian activists and protesters,” the Treasury’s under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence Brian Nelson said in the statement.
“We condemn Sudan’s security services for killing, harassing, and intimidating Sudanese citizens.”
A police spokesperson could not be reached for comment. Military leaders have said peaceful protests are allowed and that protest casualties will be investigated.
Sudan has been rocked for months by protests organised by neighbourhood-based resistance committees.
The US, the UN and several countries have been critical of security crackdowns, which have killed at least 88 people since October.
Billions of dollars in foreign aid were suspended by Western countries and international financing institutions after the coup and military commanders have yet to appoint a prime minister to tackle the economic crisis.
The military says the coup was a necessary corrective measure after political infighting and has pledged to hand over power to a government appointed by consensus or elections. Protesters want an immediate exit of the military from politics.
Reuters
US imposes sanctions on businessman, firms tied to illicit exports of DRC gold
STEVEN KUO: Remaining neutral allows SA to be available as a viable peace facilitator
Macron backs EU funding support for Mozambique peacekeeping
Nearly 40% of people in Ethiopia’s Tigray lack adequate food
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
More protesters killed as thousands rally against Sudan coup
Thousands of Sudanese march against military rule, return of Bashir men
Sudan soldiers fire on protesters at rally in Khartoum
After Sudan’s Abdalla Hamdok quits as leader, US calls for civilian rule in ...
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.