China urges Sudan’s warring factions to come to the table, pledges to protect Chinese interests

Beijing is closely watching developments and will ensure the safety and security of Chinese institutions and people in Sudan, the foreign ministry said

At least seven people have been killed in Sudan since Monday as people take to the streets to protest against the power grab

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Sudanese protesters waving the national flag demonstrate in the capital Khartoum on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:00am, 29 Oct 2021Updated: 8:52am, 29 Oct 2021

China is calling for dialogue among warring factions in Sudan and may evacuate its citizens if the situation following an apparent coup escalates.

The military arrested Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other civilian leaders on Monday. The prime minister and his wife were allowed to go home under guard on Tuesday following international pressure for the military to hand over power to a civilian-led government.

But Khartoum has continued to see increased protests, with at least seven killed by Wednesday as soldiers fired on people who took to the streets to demonstrate against the power grab.

On Wednesday, the African Union suspended the Horn of Africa nation from all its activities until “the effective restoration” of the transitional authority was in place to steer the country to elections.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok is among civilian leaders who have been detained. Photo: DPA

Sudan’s military has sacked the ambassador to China and five other countries as international pressure intensified for the forces to hand over power to a civilian-led government.

Analysts expect China to “make predictably bland public statements that encourage dialogue and that urge all parties to remain calm”.

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