Sudan - Q&A - Excerpt from the daily press briefing (6 June 2019)

Q : Following the massacre of more than 100 demonstrators by Sudan’s security forces, the U.S. Department of State has complained to the Saudi authorities (which provide financial and political support to Sudan’s security forces) about “the brutal crackdown against peaceful protestors” and called for a transfer of power to a civilian-led authority. Has France conveyed a similar message to its UAE and Saudi strategic partners?

A : France is very concerned by developments in the situation in Sudan.

It expressed and reiterated its utter condemnation of the violence committed in the brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, which resulted in numerous casualties over the past few days. It demands that the perpetrators of this violence be brought to justice and that an independent investigation be undertaken by the Sudanese authorities.

France reminds the Transitional Military Council that its first responsibility is the security of all Sudanese. It calls for the resumption of the dialogue between the Transitional Military Council and the opposition in order to swiftly reach an inclusive agreement on transitional institutions and to establish a civilian government. This is also the demand of the African Union, which has suspended Sudan until a civilian-led transition is effectively instituted.

France is determined to continue working with the African Union and all relevant regional and international actors to bring about a peaceful transition, in the interest of the Sudanese people.