Detention of civilian leaders 'unacceptable', says UN

The United Nations said on Monday that Sudanese security forces' detention of civilian leaders, including premier Abdalla Hamdok, was "unacceptable". 

"I am deeply concerned about reports of an ongoing coup and attempts to undermine Sudan's political transition. The reported detentions of the Prime Minister, government officials, and politicians are unacceptable," said Volker Perthes, UN special representative to Sudan. 

"I call on the security forces to immediately release those who have been unlawfully detained or placed under house arrest," he said in a statement on Twitter.

Germany also condemned the coup attempt and called for an "immediate end" to the action.

"The news of a new coup attempt in Sudan is troubling," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement.

"I call on everyone in Sudan responsible for security and order to continue Sudan's transition to democracy and to respect the will of the people. The attempted overthrow must come to an immediate end."

The African Union is yet to respond to Monday's developments. The US was the first to condemn the coup.