South Sudan condemns coup attempt in Sudan

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - South Sudan’s transitional unity government on Wednesday condemned the foiled coup attempt against the transitional government in Sudan.

“The government and the people of the Republic of South Sudan strongly condemn this failed coup attempt and urge the Sudanese government to hold accountable all those involved. The government of South Sudan also condemns any external interference intended to derail the peaceful transition that is currently underway in the Sudan,” South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement.

It said it considered the coup attempt is a blatant attack on the process of consolidating peace in Sudan and rejects the use of military means to undermine the power of the people and the leadership of the transitional government.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir had telephone conversations with the Chairman of the Sudan Transitional Sovereign Council, Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok early Tuesday after Sudanese armed forces successfully thwarted the attempted coup allegedly by supporters of former Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir.

“Such unconstitutional shortcut aimed at blocking the democratic political transition in Sudan should not be allowed to derail the efforts of the Sudanese people,” it said.

It also called on all parties and stakeholders in Sudan to embrace peaceful dialogue and protect the transitional government to safeguard democratic gains made during the transitional period.

Last October, Kiir mediated and oversaw the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement between the Sudan transitional government and various armed rebels from the regions of Darfur, Nuba Mountains and South Kordofan.

Former rebel fighters have been integrated into the Sudan transitional government ending decades-long conflicts waged against the Sudanese government.

“We once again reaffirm our support to full implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement in Sudan, and urge the parties to recommit to it as the best path forward to achieve the legitimate goals of the Sudanese revolution,” it added.