SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – African Union suspends Sudan over violence against protesters

6/6/19: Multiple sources – African Union suspends Sudan over violence against protesters

• BBC

• Guardian, by Jason Burke

• Telegraph, by Roland Oliphant

• Financial Times

• Reuters

• Bloomberg

 The African Union has suspended Sudan's membership "with immediate effect", amid an upsurge of violence in the capital that has seen dozens killed.

 The pan-African body has warned of further action if power is not transferred to a civilian authority - a key demand of pro-democracy protesters.

 The decision by the union – which has 54 other member states – will significantly increase pressure on the country’s new military rulers, raising the prospect of diplomatic isolation on the continent and sanctions if they do not hand over power to a civilian-led authority to allow an “exit from the current crisis”.

 In a strongly worded statement, the AU said it deplored the loss of innocent lives in recent days in Sudan and called for the military and security forces to ensure the full protection of civilians and respect for human rights and freedoms.