CAIRO/GENEVA: Sudan's military has dissolved the boards of all state companies and national agricultural projects, state TV said on Friday, in what appeared to be the junta's latest move to tighten control after seizing power in a coup on October 25.
Under growing international and domestic pressure, the military rulers were challenged by a leading civilian group to release three political figures it said had been arrested after meeting an envoy for the United Nations.
Last week's takeover halted power-sharing between the military and civilians which was agreed after the overthrow of long-time autocratic leader Omar al Bashir 2 1/2 years ago and meant to lead to elections by the end of 2023.
State TV gave no further details on the dissolution of state company boards.
Mediation efforts involving the United Nations have sought the release of figures including Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who is under house arrest, and a return to power-sharing.
But the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition said three more - two Sudanese Congress Party members and a senior member of a task force dismantling the Bashir government's assets - had been arrested on Thursday.
The UN mission in Sudan condemned the reported arrests near its offices in the capital Khartoum and called for the immediate release of those detained.
Meanwhile, the top UN human rights official on Friday called on Sudan's military leaders to step back following a coup, also denouncing the arrest and detention of politicians, journalists and protesters.
High Commissioner of Human Rights Michelle Bachelet described the October 25 military takeover as "deeply disturbing" and called for an end to the deadly use of force by the armed forces as well as military police and intelligence elements which she said had so far killed at least 13 civilians.
"I urge Sudan's military leaders, and their backers, to step back in order to allow the country to return to the path of progress towards institutional and legal reforms," she said, in remarks delivered at an emergency Geneva session of the human rights council in Geneva on the situation there.
Bachelet said the release of politicians, journalists and protesters was "essential for an inclusive dialogue and a swift return to civilian rule".
The United Nations is seeking an end to the political crisis following the coup via talks between Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and coup leaders.
The 47-member UN Council is holding the urgent session following a request from Britain and others.
Bachelet and several ambassadors including from the European Union called for justice for those responsible for killings in the coup's aftermath.
Members will later decide on a resolution, prepared by Britain, Germany, Norway and the United States, that would create a human rights expert to monitor events since the coup and prepare a written report in early 2022.
Germany's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva Katharina Stasch called that "an important step to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed." - Reuters
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