World Bank halts Sudan operations, a blow to coup leaders
World Bank president fears the 'dramatic impact' the coup will have on Sudan's development
On Wednesday the World Bank ceased disbursements for operations in Sudan amid the military’s seizure of power from a transitional government.
The World Bank’s decision to pause payments and processing of new operations is a hiccup to Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan’s plans for one of Africa’s poorest countries, Reuters reported.
Following isolation from the international financing system during Omar al-Bashir’s three-decade-long rule, Sudan achieved full re-engagement with the bank in March of this year, gaining $2b in financing.
"I am greatly concerned by recent events in Sudan,” World Bank President David Malpass said, “and I fear the dramatic impact this can have on the country’s social and economic recovery and development," Reuters reported.
Burhan dissolved the joint civilian-military council - which was steering the country to democratic elections subsequent to the ousting of former president Bashir in 2019 - and declared a state of emergency.
He claimed that he acted to stop the country from slipping into civil war.
Thousands of people took to the streets following Monday’s coup, with several killed in clashes with security forces, Reuters reported.
Deposed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok had previously touted the World Bank re-engagement as a major accomplishment, according to Reuters.
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Hamdok, who was detained on Monday and is currently under house arrest, was in good health when visited by envoys from multiple nations and international organizations on Wednesday.
The West has called for the restoration of the transitional government as well as for the release of civilian leaders, Reuters reported.
Hamdok warned against the use of violence against protesters, and stated that any retreat from the path of democracy threatens stability and development in Sudan.