KHARTOUM: Sudanese protesters use bricks and burning tyres to block 60th Street in the capital Khartoum, to denounce overnight detentions by the army of members of Sudan's government yesterday. – AFP

PARIS: From the US to Germany to the Arab league, the world reacted with alarm after an apparent coup in Sudan where armed forces detained the prime minister. The chaos follows weeks of tensions between military and civilian figures that have ruled under an uneasy power-sharing agreement since former strongman Omar Al-Bashir was ousted.

United States

The United States said it was "deeply alarmed" at reports of the military takeover. "This would contravene the Constitutional Declaration (which outlines the transition) and the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people," said US special envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman in a statement on Twitter.

Germany

Germany condemned the reports, calling for an "immediate end" to the action. "The news of a new coup attempt in Sudan is troubling," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement. "I call on everyone in Sudan responsible for security and order to continue Sudan's transition to democracy and to respect the will of the people."

European Union

The EU called for the release of Sudan's civilian leaders and insisted "violence and bloodshed must be avoided". "The EU is very concerned about Sudan's military forces reportedly putting Prime Minister (Abdalla) Hamdok under house arrest, as well as detaining other members of the civilian leadership, and we urge for their fast release," European Commission spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told journalists.

Arab League

The Arab League urged all sides to adhere to an August 2019 power-sharing deal, as it sounded alarm. "Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed deep concern over the developments in Sudan," the pan-Arab bloc said in a statement.

African Union

African Union Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat yesterday called for the "immediate resumption" of dialogue between Sudan's military and civilians after security forces detained senior figures in the country's transitional government. "The Chairperson calls for the immediate resumption of consultations between civilians and military within the framework of the political declaration and the constitutional decree," Faki said in a statement posted on Twitter. - AFP