This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-48812578
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Sudan security forces 'carry out raid' ahead of mass protest | Sudan security forces 'carry out raid' ahead of mass protest |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Sudan's main opposition group says security forces raided its office and blocked a new conference on the eve of mass protests against military rule. | |
Security forces have been patrolling parts of the capital, Khartoum, ahead Sunday's planned protests. | |
The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) called for a "million-strong" march on Sunday to push the military to hand control to civilians. | |
But there are no reports so far of huge protests in Khartoum. | |
The military overthrew President Omar al-Bashir in April following a popular uprising against his rule. | |
He seized power in a coup on 30 June 1989. | |
The SPA had organised a media briefing on Saturday evening to unveil plans for the rally, which would be the first mass demonstration since dozens were killed when the military opened fire on pro-democracy protesters on 3 June. | |
Protest leader Ahmed al-Rabie told AFP news agency that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had broken up the media briefing. | |
"Before we could start the press conference, three vehicles from RSF, full of armed men, came to our building and told us not to hold the press conference," he said. | "Before we could start the press conference, three vehicles from RSF, full of armed men, came to our building and told us not to hold the press conference," he said. |
Everyone in the building was ordered to leave, Mr al-Rabie said. | Everyone in the building was ordered to leave, Mr al-Rabie said. |
He told Reuters news agency that the raid was "a violation of liberties that is even worse than the regime of the former president". | |
The military said it would hold the opposition responsible for any violence or loss of life in the protests. | |
Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti, warned of "vandals" and a "concealed agenda" that might take advantage of the demonstrations. | Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti, warned of "vandals" and a "concealed agenda" that might take advantage of the demonstrations. |
Shops were shut on Sunday in areas of the capital where protests were expected, AFP reports. | |
Talks between the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the opposition collapsed after 3 June and have not resumed despite mediation by the African Union (AU) and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. | |
On Friday, the SPA said two leading members of the opposition had been detained and urged "the international community to demand their immediate release". | On Friday, the SPA said two leading members of the opposition had been detained and urged "the international community to demand their immediate release". |