On Monday Amnesty International called for the immediate release of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other officials who were detained  by security forces on Monday.

According to Amnesty at least seven other civilian leaders are currently in detention.

Military leaders have also restricted access to the internet and imposed a state of emergency.

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty’s regional Director for East and Southern Africa said: ‘The arbitrary detentions and human rights violations run counter to Sudan’s ambitions for the future where the human rights of all are respected and amount to a betrayal of thousands of Sudanese people.’

Muchena further stated: ‘We call on the military leaders, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to adhere to Sudan’s human rights obligations. This includes ensuring protection of the right to life and ensuring that the peaceful protesters now massing in response to events can demonstrate unhindered and unarmed. We call on the authorities to restore full access to the internet, to facilitate freedom of information, association and peaceful assembly.’