The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, denounced, on Tuesday 18 January, the heavy toll in human lives and violations of fundamental freedoms in Sudan, the day after new violence by the military power against anti-coup demonstrators, which left at least seven dead and many injured in Khartoum.
In a statement issued on behalf of the EU27, he stressed that “through disproportionate use of force and continued detention of activists and journalists, the military authorities are demonstrating that they are not ready to find a negotiated and peaceful solution to the crisis”.
Mr Borrell deplored that, “once again”, the numerous calls from the EU and the international community for restraint towards peaceful demonstrators had “fallen on deaf ears” (see EUROPE 12862/2).
He stressed that violence against civilians and the continued detention of activists and journalists puts Sudan “on a dangerous path away from peace and stability and jeopardizes the opportunity of a peaceful solution”.
And he added: “We call on the military authorities to do their utmost to defuse tensions. It is essential to avoid further loss of life”.
The violence of 17 January brought to 70 the number of deaths since the military coup of 25 October. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)