Sudan coup: UN slams detention of Sudan civilian leaders as 'unacceptable'

The United Nations said Monday that Sudanese security forces' detention of civilian leaders, including Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, was "unacceptable".

"I am deeply concerned about reports of an ongoing coup and attempts to undermine Sudan's political transition. The reported detentions of the Prime Minister, government officials, and politicians are unacceptable," said Volker Perthes, UN special representative to Sudan.

"I call on the security forces to immediately release those who have been unlawfully detained or placed under house arrest," he said in a statement on Twitter.

The EU and the US have also expressed grave concern about the military takeover underway in Sudan.

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell tweeted on Monday that he’s following events in the northeast African nation with the “utmost concern,” after reports emerged that Sudanese military forces detained several senior government officials. 

“The EU calls on all stakeholders and regional partners to put back on track the transition process,” Borrell wrote, referring to Sudan’s fragile transition from autocracy to democracy after the ousting of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir in 2019.