The Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO) is calling on the Intergovernmental Organization on Development (IGAD) to remedy the ongoing political crisis in Sudan that led to the arrest and detention of the current chair Dr Abdalla Hamdok.

Edmund Yakani, the executive director of CEPO equally called on Sudanese leaders to use dialogue to resolve their political differences to restore constitutional order and honour for the country’s transitional process.

Yakani has condemned the arrest of the IGAD chair Abdallah Hamdok stating that it undermines the regional body and which is crucial for consolidating peace and democratic gains.

“It is high time the African Union take serious measures for the protection of the IGAD sitting chair and sitting head of government of its member state from arrests and detention,” Yakani stressed.

He also said the situation in Sudan could have serious implications on the region, especially on South Sudan.

“South Sudan and Sudan have mutual political relations in the process of political transitioning from violence to peace. The issue of the agreement on the four freedoms between South Sudan and Sudan will be affected by these latest developments in Sudan,” said Yakani.

CEPO’s director further called for joint interventions from both regional and international bodies to ensure the peaceful political transition is restored in Sudan.         

The Sudanese army toppled civilian leadership in an apparent coup on Monday, after which, the leader of Sudan Sovereign Council Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan declared a state of emergency and dissolved the council.

Hamdok and several other government officials were arrested in the coup and detained.