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Sudan police 'fire tear gas' at protesters in Khartoum | Sudan police 'fire tear gas' at protesters in Khartoum |
(32 minutes later) | |
Sudan's security forces have fired tear gas to disperse protesters demanding an end to military rule. | |
One protester was also reportedly killed as tens of thousands rallied across Sudan to push the junta to hand power to a civilian-led administration. | One protester was also reportedly killed as tens of thousands rallied across Sudan to push the junta to hand power to a civilian-led administration. |
The protests are the biggest since dozens were killed in a crackdown on pro-democracy activists on 3 June. | The protests are the biggest since dozens were killed in a crackdown on pro-democracy activists on 3 June. |
Sudan has been in turmoil since the military ousted President Omar al-Bashir in April. | Sudan has been in turmoil since the military ousted President Omar al-Bashir in April. |
It followed a popular uprising against his rule. | It followed a popular uprising against his rule. |
Mr Bashir seized power in a coup on 30 June 1989. | Mr Bashir seized power in a coup on 30 June 1989. |
On Sunday, protesters defied the heavy presence of troops, including the feared paramilitary Rapid Security Forces (RSF), to take part in what organisers had billed a "million-strong" march. | On Sunday, protesters defied the heavy presence of troops, including the feared paramilitary Rapid Security Forces (RSF), to take part in what organisers had billed a "million-strong" march. |
"We are here for the martyrs of the [June 3] sit-in. We want a civilian state that guarantees our freedom. We want to get rid of military dictatorship," a 23-year-old protester named only as Zeinab told AFP news agency. | "We are here for the martyrs of the [June 3] sit-in. We want a civilian state that guarantees our freedom. We want to get rid of military dictatorship," a 23-year-old protester named only as Zeinab told AFP news agency. |
Security forces fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators near the presidential palace and three other districts in the capital, Khartoum, AFP reports. | Security forces fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators near the presidential palace and three other districts in the capital, Khartoum, AFP reports. |
Tear gas was also fired in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman and the eastern town of Gadaref. | Tear gas was also fired in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman and the eastern town of Gadaref. |
In Atbara city in the north-east, a young protester died of a bullet wound to the chest, the pro-opposition Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said. | In Atbara city in the north-east, a young protester died of a bullet wound to the chest, the pro-opposition Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said. |
'Massive show of strength' | |
By Mohanad Hashim, BBC Sudan analyst | |
If the military thought it could scare protesters, it was wrong. The protests are a massive show of strength by the pro-democracy movement. | |
It has pulled off the biggest demonstration since the junta took power, despite an internet blackout and the security forces blocking bridges to prevent people from joining marches. | |
Some are saying that hundreds of thousands rallied across Sudan, more than the number who took to the streets before Omar al-Bashir was ousted by his former allies in the military. The junta is clearly on the back foot - and has said it is prepared to resume talks with the opposition. | |
But many wonder whether it can be trusted. | |
On Saturday, paramilitary forces broke up a news conference called by the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), one of the main organisers of the protest. | On Saturday, paramilitary forces broke up a news conference called by the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), one of the main organisers of the protest. |
The military said it would hold the opposition responsible for any violence or loss of life in the protests. | 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. |
Talks between the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the opposition collapsed after the 3 June crackdown, when the RSF violent suppressed protests in Khartoum. | Talks between the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the opposition collapsed after the 3 June crackdown, when the RSF violent suppressed protests in Khartoum. |
They have not resumed despite mediation by the African Union (AU) and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. | They 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". |