Sudanese Protests Against Military Rule Persist

 

Security forces used tear gas and thrown grenades against demonstrators against Sudan's military leaders, as diplomatic efforts to mediate a political solution to the country's post-coup crisis stalled.

 Thousands marched towards Khartoum's presidential palace on Thursday, despite scorching temperatures and a significant security deployment, in the first major rally after Ramadan and the largest turnout in several weeks.

 "Kill us, we're not frightened," and "The people's government is civilian" were chanted by protesters in the capital — and others recorded in other places on social media.

 Sudan has been in political turmoil since the military overthrew previous President Omar Al Bashir in April 2019 following months of major protests.

After numerous protests, the army decided to share control with civilian parties, but in October 2021, the army took control again in a coup.

 Since then, civilian groups, including protest organizing committees, have refused to negotiate with the military. To try to develop a political foundation, military officials have turned to forces close to Bashir.

 Talks between the UN and the African Union, which were supposed to start this week, have stalled, drawing condemnation from the military & civil society.

 On Wednesday, Khartoum resistance committees adopted a charter outlining their plan to abolish military rule and encouraging political parties to participate.

 "We are more confident now that the charter has been signed," Ahmed Fathalrahman, 38, said.

 According to Reuters, there was a strong deployment of army, police, and the Central Reserve Forces — which the US sanctioned in March — along the demonstration route and in residential neighborhoods at the start of the event.

 According to medics, at least 95 people have died and hundreds have been injured in rallies since the coup. Hundreds of political prisoners are still being held, according to lawyers.

 Military authorities have stated that the killings would be evaluated, that those detained will face criminal charges, and that the coup was necessary to resolve political infighting.