Khartoum: At least four people were killed on Sunday as thousands returned to the streets of Sudan to protest the rule of President Omar al Bashir, local doctors said. The four were killed by security forces trying to control protests in the capital Khartoum on Sunday, according to an association of Sudanese doctors. Thousands of protesters returned to the streets on Sunday following similar protests on Saturday, according to a reporter at the scene, with security forces once again using tear gas to control the crowds.
On Saturday, protesters managed to reach the army headquarters for the first time since the start of the protests on December 2018 to demand the president step down. Security forces made several arrests on Saturday and one person was killed, the state-run news agency SUNA reported, citing a police spokesman. The Sudanese Professional Association (SPA) had called for widespread rallies and a march on the army headquarters on Saturday, the 34th anniversary of the 1985 uprising that toppled the then-government of president Gaafar Nimeiry.
Chanting “Sudan is rising, the army is rising,” crowds massed outside the Khartoum complex that also houses Bashir’s official residence and the defence ministry, many having spent the night there, witnesses said.
“We won’t leave this area until he steps down,” said demonstrator Osama Ahmed. Bashir chaired a meeting of the security council as protesters continued to chant slogans outside the compound.
“The security council confirms that the protesters are part of the Sudanese community and their vision and demands have to be heard,” the presidency said in a statement afterwards. “The council will take measures to enhance peace and security across the country.”
Protesters whistled and waved at military vehicles entering the compound, prompting some soldiers to wave back, a day after demonstrators said they were gathering to ask the army to “come join us”.
Riot police deployed near the complex on Sunday morning, firing tear gas in an unsuccessful attempt to disperse the crowds, a witness said.
Protest organisers chose April 6 to begin the rally outside the army headquarters to mark the 1985 uprising that toppled the regime of then president Jaafar Nimeiri.
Since the start of the protests, security agents and riot police have cracked down on demonstrators but the army has not intervened.
The rally was the biggest since protests erupted on December 19 in the central town of Atbara, quickly spreading to the capital and towns and cities across the country. Witnesses said protesters arrived in cars, buses and on foot to the army complex.
Many offered afternoon prayers on the road outside the complex, while others raised Sudanese flags over their heads to protect against the afternoon sun. “Overthrow, overthrow,” chanted young men and women. Many climbed on roofs of cars and buses flashing the victory sign, onlookers said.
“Many people have come with food and water as if they plan to camp here for days,” a witness said.
Sunday’s protests coincided with a nationwide blackout that the electricity ministry blamed on a technical glitch.
Outside the army complex, protesters sang nationalist songs, whistling and clapping as they pressed on with the rally.
Some protesters blocked a nearby bridge linking Khartoum with the northern Bahari district with rocks causing huge traffic jams, onlookers said.
Several private companies declared a holiday at their offices, while some arranged to ferry water, snacks and juice to the protesters, according to witnesses. — AFP
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