MOSCOW. Oct 28 (Interfax) - Russian Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has discussed the latest developments in the Republic of Sudan with United States Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"The Russian side stressed the need to stabilize the situation as soon as possible, to settle the existing intra-Sudanese disagreements through an inclusive dialogue involving all political forces in order to achieve national harmony and resolve Sudan's urgent socioeconomic problems. At the same time, the unacceptability of external interference in the internal affairs of the country was emphasized," the Foreign Ministry said.
Russia confirmed its readiness "to continue to provide all-round assistance to the friendly Sudanese people," the ministry said.
The diplomats spoke over the phone on October 27 at the initiative of the U.S. side, it said.
On the night of October 25, the Sudanese military detained several ministers of the interim government, including interim Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. He is now at his home, but the whereabouts of other officials is unknown.
In an address to the nation, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the Sudanese army announced a state of emergency in the country, the dissolution of the cabinet and the Sovereignty Council, and an intention to form a responsible government. The army was forced to intervene due to the recent dispute between political forces in the country, he said.
In response to Hamdok's call for peaceful protests, protests began in the streets of the capital of Khartoum. When protesters tried to approach the headquarters of the Sudanese army, the military opened fire, which resulted in casualties.
Since August 2019, Sudan had been governed by a transitional civil-military administration.