Russia says important to 'bring about order' in Sudan
Jun 06, 2019
On Tuesday, China and Russia blocked a bid at the UN Security Council to condemn the killing of civilians in Sudan.
Russia urged against outside interference in Sudan on Thursday, saying it was important to bring about order in the crisis-hit country following a bloody crackdown on protesters.
At least 108 people have been killed in Sudan since paramilitaries moved in on a long-running sit-in outside army headquarters on Monday, an opposition-linked doctors' committee says.
In April, the military ousted president Omar al-Bashir following months of protests against his authoritarian rule.
But thousands of protesters remained camped out in front of army headquarters calling for the generals to cede power to a civilian government.
"We are against outside interference, one cannot impose something on the Sudanese," Mikhail Bogdanov, deputy foreign minister, told reporters in Saint Petersburg.
He said Russia was in touch with all political forces in Sudan, including the military and the opposition, calling for dialogue to resolve the crisis.
But Bogdanov also stressed the importance of "bringing about order" as well as the fight against extremists.
On Tuesday, China and Russia blocked a bid at the UN Security Council to condemn the killing of civilians in Sudan.
"The situation is rather complicated," Bogdanov said, quoted by Russian news agencies.
"We are in favour of all issues being solved within the framework of national dialogue, on the basis of consensus-based solutions."
He stressed the importance of a "transitional period which should end with elections."
Russia has been trying to expand its influence in Africa and said in January that it had sent "instructors" to Sudan, following reports of sightings of Russian-speaking soldiers in Khartoum.
The Central Committee for Sudanese Doctors said it holds the "militias" of the military council responsible for the deaths of the protesters.
Sudan's health ministry said "no more than 46" people died in the crackdown.