In Sudan, protesters take to streets amid fears of ‘excessive violence’

Tens of thousands of Sudanese have poured to the streets across the country to demand the restoration of a civilian-led government, almost a week after the military ousted the transitional cabinet and put the prime minister and other civilian leaders under arrest.

Protesters gathered in the capital Khartoum and other major cities on Saturday, in response to calls for a “march of millions” against a return to military rule.

Security forces killed two people, medics said. 

“Two demonstrators were killed in the city of Omdurman by the putschist military council,” the independent Central Committee of Sudan’s Doctors said in a tweet.

Security forces deployed in large numbers and blocked bridges connecting Khartoum with its neighboring cities. They set up checkpoints on main roads, randomly frisking passers-by and searching cars. Phone lines and the internet were largely down by Saturday morning.

In response, protesters set tires on fire and held posters reading, “It’s impossible to go back.” Others called for “freedom to the members of cabinet” who have been detained.

“We will not be ruled by the military,” said rights activist Tahani Abbas. “That is the message we will convey” at the protests. “The military forces are bloody and unjust and we are anticipating what is about to happen on the streets,” he added. “But we are no longer afraid.”

Sudan braces for mass protests, ousted PM 'offered chance to return'

Anti-coup protesters in Sudan plan mass demonstrations, and the coup leader has said the ousted prime minister has been offered a chance to return to power.

Another activist said “the army should go back to its barracks and give the leadership to Hamdok.”

Sudan’s Information Ministry, which backs a civilian government, warned before the protests that “the coup authority is planning to fabricate instances of destruction to justify its excessive violence.”

Several protesters have been arrested following the coup, which was led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. According to medical officials, at least 11 people have been killed and 170 others wounded since the power grab.

On the eve of Saturday’s protests, a US official put this week’s death toll at between 20 and 30, urging security forces to “refrain from any and all violence against protesters.”

The United Nations (UN) has also called on the military to show restraint toward protesters. 

Fresh street clashes rock Sudan's capital as UN denounces military coup

New street clashes have rocked Sudan

The military leader has said Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has been offered a chance to return as prime minister. Hamdok had shared power with the country’s military leadership, following the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. He is under effective house arrest, while other civilian leaders are in military detention.

There was no immediate public response from Hamdok to the offer, but sources close to him told Reuters on Friday that he was ready to negotiate on the formation of a new government on the condition that the military reverses the coup and releases those detained.

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