As tens of thousands of people protested in Sudan’s capital to mark the third anniversary of the country’s rebellion against strongman Omar al-Bashir, police fired tear gas at anti-coup protestors.
On Sunday, tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, to demonstrate their strong opposition to the military coup in October and to commemorate the third anniversary of major rallies that sparked a popular revolt across the country.
Following months of unrest, Bashir was toppled by a military coup in April 2019, after leading the country for three decades. A governing council made up of civilian and military figures was established in August of that year to manage the country.
Sudan’s top executive authority, the transitional civilian-military government, is tasked with leading the country to free and fair multiparty elections.
On October 25, however, the fragile government was overthrown by a military coup led by Sudan’s military chief and de facto leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was imprisoned and placed under house arrest, infuriating Sudanese and eliciting international condemnation, including from the United Nations Security Council. Other civilian leaders were also detained by the military.
According to the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, at least 45 people have died as a result of the subsequent crackdown on anti-coup protestors since October 25.
Hamdok was later released and signed a power-sharing agreement with the Burhan-led junta on November 21, according to which Hamdok would continue as Prime Minister of Sudan, all political prisoners detained during the coup would be released, and a 2019 constitutional declaration would serve as the basis for a political transition.
Sudan’s first free elections since 1986 will take place in July 2023, according to the agreement.
The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), on the other hand, has flatly rejected the agreement, calling it “treacherous.” The pro-democracy SPA is an umbrella organisation made up of 17 distinct unions that played a key role in the months-long protests that resulted to Bashir’s removal.
Protests against the coup have continued even after Hamdok was reinstated, with demonstrators asking that the military be excluded from all aspects of administration.
On Sunday, security personnel used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse massive crowds of enraged demonstrators chanting “the people want Burhan’s downfall.”
Protesters also marched to the presidential palace, where they gathered less than a kilometre away, singing “the people are stronger, and retreat is impossible.”
Under the slogan “no negotiation, no collaboration, no legitimacy,” they seek full civilian government.
Despite significant numbers of security forces blocking bridges entering the capital, demonstrators from the nearby city of Omdurman were able to reach central Khartoum via a bridge connecting the two cities.
Major highways leading to the airport and army headquarters have also been closed by security personnel. In addition, the presidential palace was tightly guarded by joint army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Other cities around the country, including Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast and El-Deain in Darfur’s western area, were expected to hold protest marches.
The large marches took place just a day after Hamdok issued a statement warning that Sudan’s revolution was facing a severe setback and that political stubbornness on all sides was threatening the country’s unity and stability.
So far, Hamdok has justified the pact, claiming that he collaborated with the military to “avoid the bloodshed” caused by the crackdown on anti-coup street protesters.
