WASHINGTON — United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sharply condemned an attempted coup in Sudan, vowing to stand by the internationally recognised government.

Guterres warned any effort to undermine Sudan’s political transition will jeopardise the hard-earned progress made on the political and economic fronts, Anadolu Agency (AA) quoted his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric’s statement.

“The Secretary-General calls on all parties to remain committed to the transition and the realisation of the aspirations of the Sudanese people for an inclusive, peaceful, stable, and democratic future. The United Nations stands by the Government and people of Sudan in this endeavour,” said Dujarric.

The Sudanese military said it foiled the attempted coup attempt earlier Tuesday and arrested 21 army officers and dozens of soldiers.

Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok accused supporters of the former regime of Omar al-Bashir of being behind the attempted military overthrow.

“What happened is an orchestrated coup by factions inside and outside the armed forces and this is an extension of the attempts by remnants since the fall of the former regime to abort the civilian democratic transition,” Hamdok said in a televised statement.

“This attempt was preceded by extensive preparations represented by lawlessness in the cities and the exploitation of the situation in the east of the country, attempts to close national roads and ports and block oil production.”

The military deposed long-serving President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 after mass protests against his rule. In August, a civilian-military transition authority was created to lead the political transition for a three-year period.