Al-Burhan: Sudan Army to hand over power 'only' to elected government

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The head of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has stated that the army will only hand over power to an elected government.

“The armed forces stand united and are not afraid of any party, organization or political force. The army continues to serve the country in a manner that preserves its security and stability without fearing anyone,” he reiterated.

Al-Burhan threatened on Saturday to expel the United Nation's special representative, accusing him of overstepping his mandate.

In a speech at a military graduation on Friday, Al-Burhan said, "We heard his slander the other day, lying, blatantly lying," talking about UN representative Volker Perthes, who had previously commented on Sudan's economic turmoil and violence against protesters.

"If you overstep your mandate, we will put you out of Sudan," Al-Burhan added.

Sudan has been in turmoil since October 25, 2021, after Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's transitional government was dismissed and a state of emergency was declared in the country.

Before the takeover by the military forces, Sudan was ruled by a sovereign council of military, and civilian officials were tasked with overseeing the transition period until elections in 2023.

On Oct. 25, al-Burhan spearheaded a military coup that halted a collaboration between the army and civilian parties that was supposed to lead to democratic elections, igniting months of protests and international condemnation.