This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/30/fears-of-violence-as-sudan-gets-ready-for-million-man-march-khartoum

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Fears of violence as Sudan gets ready for 'million man' march Sudan protesters take to streets for first time since army crackdown
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Sudanese cities in the first mass demonstrations since a crackdown on a protest camp early in June left at least 128 people dead. Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of cities in Sudan in the first mass demonstrations since a crackdown on a protest camp early in June left at least 128 people dead.
In Khartoum, the capital, protesters demanded that the ruling transitional military council (TMC) hand over power to civilians, as security forces fired teargas at them.In Khartoum, the capital, protesters demanded that the ruling transitional military council (TMC) hand over power to civilians, as security forces fired teargas at them.
“Kabashi, you are a liar – the revolution has just started,” the protesters chanted, referring to the TMC spokesman Gen Shams Eddin Kabashi, and “Blood for blood, we won’t accept compensation.” “Kabashi, you are a liar – the revolution has just started,” the protesters chanted, referring to the TMC spokesman Gen Shams Eddin Kabashi, and: “Blood for blood, we won’t accept compensation.”
One person was reported dead in Atbara in River Nile state, north of Khartoum. He was named as Khalid Awad, a 35-year-old father of three. One person was reported dead in Atbara in River Nile state, north of Khartoum. He was named as Khalid Awad, 35.
Protests against Sudan’s long-running dictator, Omar al-Bashir, began in Atbara in December, but since the military removed him in April they have refused to permit civilian rule. Protests against Sudan’s long-time dictator, Omar al-Bashir, began in Atbara in December, but since the military removed him in April it has refused to permit civilian rule.
Talks between the military and civilian representatives over a power-sharing agreement collapsed this month when security forces violently broke up the Khartoum protests.Talks between the military and civilian representatives over a power-sharing agreement collapsed this month when security forces violently broke up the Khartoum protests.
Sunday’s protests also coincided with the the 30th anniversary of the Islamist-backed coup that brought Bashir to power. Demonstrators gathered at several points across the capital on before heading to neighbourhoods where the families of those who had died in the protests lived to pay respects to the “martyrs’ houses”. Sunday’s protests also coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Islamist-backed coup that brought Bashir to power. Demonstrators gathered at several points across the capital before heading to neighbourhoods where the families of those who had died in the protests lived to pay respects at the “martyrs’ houses”.
Protesters then moved to the airport avenue where they were blocked by more than 50 vehicles of police and the feared paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).Protesters then moved to the airport avenue where they were blocked by more than 50 vehicles of police and the feared paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Bridges that led to central Khartoum were also closed in response from a call from the Sudanese Professionals Association, a trade union organisation and the main civilian group involved in the protests, for protesters to head to the presidential palace. Bridges leading to central Khartoum were also closed following a call from the Sudanese Professionals Association, a trade union organisation and the main civilian group involved in the protests, for protesters to head to the presidential palace.
Enas Salah, a mother of four protesting at the airport avenue along with thousands of others, said she was on the street because she was tired of “lies of the TMC. They said we don’t want power. Let them show us that they don’t want it for real.” Enas Salah, who was protesting at the airport avenue along with thousands of others, said she was there because she was tired of the “lies of the TMC. They said [they] don’t want power. Let them show us that they don’t want it for real.”
Samah Said, 23, a university graduate, said she was there “not only because of the high prices – we are here because of our martyrs … when we went out to protest peacefully they shot and killed us.”Samah Said, 23, a university graduate, said she was there “not only because of the high prices – we are here because of our martyrs … when we went out to protest peacefully they shot and killed us.”
In Omdurman, the city across the Nile from Khartoum, thousands of people took to the streets, They were dispersed with teargas and the bridge was closed, blocking them from heading to central Khartoum. In Omdurman, the city across the Nile from Khartoum, thousands of people took to the streets. They were dispersed with teargas and the bridge was closed, blocking them from heading to central Khartoum.
Central Khartoum was quiet on Sunday. Many shops were closed and roads leading to the military headquarters were blocked.Central Khartoum was quiet on Sunday. Many shops were closed and roads leading to the military headquarters were blocked.
Amjad Yousef, a protest organiser, said he would not “go back home unless all the demands of the revolution are met, by having a civilian government”.Amjad Yousef, a protest organiser, said he would not “go back home unless all the demands of the revolution are met, by having a civilian government”.
Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, who commands the RSF and is deputy head of the TMC, said three of his forces had been shot at. He said he would catch the perpetrators “and bring them to justice”.Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, who commands the RSF and is deputy head of the TMC, said three of his forces had been shot at. He said he would catch the perpetrators “and bring them to justice”.
Faisal Mohamed Salih, an analyst, said: “I did not expect this number of protesters to take to the streets but this shows that they have a strong and angry position.”Faisal Mohamed Salih, an analyst, said: “I did not expect this number of protesters to take to the streets but this shows that they have a strong and angry position.”
The new protest comes at a time when Ethiopia and the African Union (AU) are jointly mediating between the protesters and generals. Ethiopia and the AU have proposed a blueprint for a civilian-majority body, which the generals say could be a basis for resuming talks.The new protest comes at a time when Ethiopia and the African Union (AU) are jointly mediating between the protesters and generals. Ethiopia and the AU have proposed a blueprint for a civilian-majority body, which the generals say could be a basis for resuming talks.
Mobilising protesters has become a challenge since the raid, with military rulers imposing a widespread internet blackout.Mobilising protesters has become a challenge since the raid, with military rulers imposing a widespread internet blackout.
In the lead-up to Bashir’s fall, tens of thousands of protesters were organised through social media, but now protest leaders have to resort to neighbourhood campaigns to keep the movement alive. In the lead-up to Bashir’s fall, social media was used to get tens of thousands of protesters out on the streets, but now protest leaders are keeping the movement alive through neighbourhood campaigns.
SudanSudan
AfricaAfrica
Middle East and North AfricaMiddle East and North Africa
ProtestProtest
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content