Norway calls for civilian rule and reforms in Sudan

‘A military council does not reflect the Sudanese people's legitimate demands for democracy. We urge the transitional military council to quickly establish a transitional civilian rule,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.

Norway believes that political reforms are a prerequisite for solving the country's economic crisis and for achieving stable and sustainable development. It is now crucial for the transitional military council to help its people by facilitating a credible and inclusive political process that lays the groundwork for democracy, as well as political and economic reforms.

‘Norway would support such a reform process,’ said the Foreign Minister.

After several months of protests against the Sudanese government, President Omar al-Bashir was ousted on April 11, 2019. That same day, a transitional military council was announced. Demonstrations against the authorities in Khartoum have increasingly grown in strength. Protests across the country were triggered by a rise in food and fuel prices. The protests have been non-violent, but authorities have on several occasions retaliated strongly, leading to loss of life and arrests.

Norway, together with the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, have repeatedly urged the authorities to respect protesters’ rights for freedom of expression, refrain from violence, release political prisoners and pave the way for an inclusive political dialogue.