Sudan’s premier resigns amid protests

CAIRO — Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced his resignation Sunday amid a political deadlock and widespread pro-democracy protests after a military coup that derailed the country’s fragile transition to democratic rule.

Hamdok, a former U.N. official seen as the civilian face of Sudan’s transitional government, had been reinstated as prime minister in November as part of an agreement with the military following the October coup. In that time he had failed to name a Cabinet.

“I decided to return the responsibility and declare my resignation as prime minister,” he said in a televised national address Sunday, adding that his stepping down would allow a chance for another person to lead the nation and complete its transition to a “civilian, democratic country.”

Hamdok did not name a successor. He warned that the ongoing political stalemate since the military takeover could become a full-blown crisis and damage the country’s already battered economy.

Hours before Hamdok’s resignation speech, Sudanese security forces violently dispersed pro-democracy protesters, killing at least three people, according the the Sudan Doctors Committee, which is part of the pro-democracy movement. The group said dozens of protesters were injured.

The protests came despite tightened security and blocked bridges and roads in Khartoum and Omdurman. Internet connections were also disrupted ahead of the protests, according to advocacy group NetBlocs. Authorities have used such tactics repeatedly since the Oct. 25 coup.

Sunday’s fatalities have brought the death toll among protesters since the coup to at least 57, according to the medical group. Hundreds have also been wounded.