Thousands of demonstrators have hit the streets of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, in protest of Monday’s military takeover. This marks the largest protest against the coup yet.
The demonstrators packed the streets on Saturday morning chanting anti-military slogans and waving anti-coup banners. “No for military rule, yes for civilian rule.” The protesters shouted as all the way. The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors (CCSD) reported that at least three people were shot dead by the military. At least 100 others were wounded during the protests when the military fired live bullets and used tear gas at demonstrators to disperse the crowd. In total, the CCSD is reported that 13 people have been killed and 140 others injured in the protests.
The nationwide protest were called by the activist coalition Sudanese Professional Association (SPA), who played a great role in organizing the 2019 Sudan Uprising that led to the toppling of President Omar al-Bashir’s three decade rule. The SPA demanded for restoration of the country’s transitional civilian government and called for protesters to join the “million-man march” against the military takeover.
The demonstrators called for Sudan’s top general, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to resign. “This county should be ruled by a civilian government. Military leaders shouldn’t be involved in any political decision. They are here to protect the country and its people.” One protester said.
The October 25 coup followed months of rising tensions in the country where the military and civilian groups shared power over the years, since Bashir was deposed in April 2019 in a military coup d’etat. Since then, Sudan has been ruled by a shaky alliance between the two. However, on Monday, the military effectively took control and dissolved the power sharing council, suspending several articles of the constitution and removing state governors.
World leaders have weighed in on the situation, expressing disappointment at the coup and urging stakeholders to return to the country’s democratic transition process. The US special envoy to the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman warned against the use of violence to intimidate protesters.
“The Sudanese people must be allowed to protest peacefully this weekend, and the United States will be watching closely.” Feltman said.
