The African Regional Organisation of the International Trades Union Confederation (www.itucafrica. org) is very concerned about the ongoing situation in the Sudan.
It was with a great shock and disappointment that we heard the news about the violent military repression of a sit-in protest in Khartoum earlier this week. An operation perpetrated by the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is reported to have caused the death of at least 100 people and many others injured. We also heard that earlier last week, three attacks were launched by the army against
another Khartoum area called Columbia, killing and injuring a number of people.
We strongly condemn the use of force and violence on unarmed civilians. The role of the army is to ensure the protection of their population and it is unacceptable to see that such attacks can take place during a breakdown of negotiations.
ITUC-Africa expresses its sympathy and condolences to the people of the Sudan and the families of all the victims and wish all the injured people a speedy and complete recovery.
We call on the African Union to go beyond a simple suspension of the Sudan as member and to take adequate and vigorous measures to reprimand the perpetrators and to work in a determined manner for the protection and security of the population of Sudan.
We further call on the Government of the Sudan to end all acts of harassment and intimidation of citizens including human rights defenders and others who seek to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and association, including the free exercise of trade union rights. Importantly, ITUC-Africa emphasizes the need for everyone to prioritize dialogue and negotiations as sustainable way to achieve peace and security in Africa.
As we continue to follow the updates of the situation, we extend the solidarity of all African workers to our fellow comrades of the Sudan.
In solidarity,
Kwasi Adu-Amankwah
General Secretary