Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA: June 7 (Ethiopian Informer) – The Elders group, comprising independent global leaders, on Friday urged Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is also the current Chair of the African Union (AU), to uphold the AU’s commitments to an inclusive, democratic transition to a civilian-led rule in Sudan.
“The Elders called on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, current Chair of the African Union, to clearly and unequivocally uphold the AU’s commitment to an inclusive, democratic transition to civilian rule in Sudan following the recent killings of protesters,” a statement issued by the Elders on Friday read.
The Elders group, which was founded by the former South African President Nelson Mandela in 2007, brings together independent leaders who are using their collective experience and influence for peace, justice and human rights worldwide.
The Elders are Ban Ki-moon, Lakhdar Brahimi,Gro Harlem Brundtland Zeid Raad Al Hussein, Hina Jilani, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Ricardo Lagos, Garaca Machel, Juan Manuel Santos, Mary Robinson, and Ernesto Zedillo.
“They expressed their deep shock at the assault mounted by Sudanese military units on civilian, unarmed demonstrators which has caused more than one hundred victims in recent days. This is a terrible setback for Sudan, Africa and the world,” the statement read.
They also “welcomed the decision taken yesterday by the AU’s Peace and Security Council to suspend Sudan from all AU activities until a civilian-led Transitional Authority has been established, and urged President al-Sisi to publicly support this move which shows the AU’s support for an inclusive, democratic and peaceful transition in Sudan.”
They further demanded that the interim military authorities in Sudan uphold their past agreements with civilian representatives of the protest movement. All security forces, including the Rapid Support Forces, should desist from violence against unarmed protesters.
Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that “the recent killings of peaceful protesters in Sudan are unconscionable.”
“Sudan won admiration from around the world for the previous commitment of all parties, above all the security forces, to a peaceful, negotiated transition,” the statement quoted Robinson as saying.
“It is unacceptable for the military now to relapse into old habits of repression and grave human rights abuses,” Robinson added.
Lakhdar Brahimi, former UN diplomat and Foreign Minister of Algeria, also said that “the transition of any country from military rule to civilian government is a fraught and delicate process.”
“The military has to immediately put an end to the reckless actions and statements of some of its number,” Brahimi added.
