KHARTOUM (Reuters] – After Abdalla Hamdok resigned from her position as prime minister it was clear that the United States is urging Sudanese leaders not to allow violence and ensure civil rule. The transition toward elections has become more uncertain.

In a tweet, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs stated that “PM Hamdok’s resignation requires Sudanese leaders to put aside their differences and find consensus in order to ensure civilian rule.”

Hamdok is an economist who was a former official of the United Nations and has served as the prime minister in a military-civilian power-sharing deal. This agreement followed Omar al-Bashir’s overthrow in 2019.

His government was disintegrated by the military in an October coup, but he was able to return a month later as part of an agreement. He had been given the responsibility of creating a government made up of technocrats in preparation for elections in 2023.

Hamdok said on Sunday that after failing to find a compromise to move the transition forward, he would be stepping down. To reach a new transition agreement, he called for dialogue.

On social media, the reaction to the deaths of a Sudanese leader was split. Many mourned his loss for his wisdom. Some others expressed anger at Hamdok’s decision to return after the coup and their determination to abolish military rule.

Jibril Ibrahim (a former rebel leader) was the Finance Minister under Hamdok, but he expressed his support for the military prior to the coup and called his resignation “regrettable”.

To navigate these difficult times safely, our nation requires political compromise more than ever. All are welcome.

Hamdok’s resignation was announced hours after the most recent round of protests against military rule. According to medical personnel associated with the protest movement, at least 57 civilians were killed by security forces as they attempted to disperse or contain demonstrations following the October 25 coup. Additional protests are scheduled for Tuesday.

Hamdok has been an important partner of the international community in Sudan’s struggle to escape decades of exclusion and sanctions from Bashir. It also played a pivotal role in ending an economic crisis that had been ongoing with Western backing.

According to the U.S. State Department, any new appointment should be made in 2019 under the terms of the power-sharing agreement.

According to it, “Sudan should appoint its next PM and cabinet in accordance with the constitution to fulfill the people’s goals of freedom and justice.” Protesters are not to be beaten.