Sudan Protests Escalate in Demand for Civilian Rule

Protests in Khartoum, Sudan (AFP)
Protests in Khartoum, Sudan (AFP)
TT

Sudan Protests Escalate in Demand for Civilian Rule

Protests in Khartoum, Sudan (AFP)
Protests in Khartoum, Sudan (AFP)

Thousands of citizens protested in Khartoum on Monday denouncing the violence during Omdurman's rallies a day before that left a protester shot dead with live bullets and dozens injured.

The protesters demanded accountability for those involved in the killing of peaceful civilians in the rallies that have taken place in the country since last October.

Omdurman Resistance Committees announced a million-strong march on Martyr Abdel Azim Street to assert the city's support of the mass movement calling for civilian rule.

Security forces and police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters who used barricades to protect the march and prevent the security forces from advancing.

Khartoum's Resistance Committees announced popular movements in cities and neighborhoods denouncing the security services' use of excessive violence against peaceful demonstrators.

The Bahri Resistance Committees organized a large march from the al-Moassas area across the Shambat bridge to Martyr Abdel Azim Street to participate in the million-march, expressing their solidarity with Omdurman civilians against police brutality.

The protesters chanted against the military coup, calling for civilian authorities and returning to the democratic transition path through a civilian-led government.

Thousands gathered in a massive protest in eastern Khartoum and marched from the neighborhoods to al-Mashtal Street.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD), a non-governmental organization, accused the Sudanese security services of using lethal force against peaceful protests, including killing one person and injuring dozens.

The Committee also accused security forces of obstructing roads and preventing the injured from arriving at hospitals to receive aid, putting some at risk.

In its report on the events of Omdurman, CCSD stated that about 77 people were injured, including three shot with live bullets and 53 with scattered shells. Many protesters were wounded by tear gas canisters and hard objects.

Meanwhile, the Trilateral Mechanism announced its deep concerns about the continued use of excessive forces in protests.

The Mechanism includes United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), African Union, and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

In a statement Sunday, the Trilateral Mechanism warned against the use of excessive force by the Sudanese security forces against peaceful protests and called for credible investigations into the violence.

"The Trilateral Mechanism has consistently called on authorities to stop the violence, release all detainees including members and leaders of resistance committees, stop all arrests, and lift the State of Emergency. Credible investigations of all incidents of violence must also be carried out,” the statement said.

"Creating these conducive conditions are critical for the success of the political process and must be done as a matter of urgency."

In conclusion, the Mechanism, "as facilitators of intra-Sudanese talks, reiterates its readiness to support Sudanese efforts to reach a political solution as soon as possible leading to a return to constitutional order and democratic transition."

More than 96 people were killed, and hundreds were injured during protests against the army's seizure of power in the country.



France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
TT

France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)

Paris declined to comment on Algeria’s “strong condemnation” of the French government’s decision to recognize Morocco’s claim over the Sahara.

The office of the French Foreign Ministry refused to respond to an AFP request for a comment on the Algeria’s stance.

It did say that further comments could impact the trip Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is set to make to France in late September or early October.

The visit has been postponed on numerous occasions over disagreements between the two countries.

France had explicitly expressed its constant and clear support for the autonomy rule proposal over the Sahara during Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne’s visit to Morocco in February, reported AFP.

The position has helped improve ties between Rabat and Paris.

On Thursday, the Algerian Foreign Ministry expressed “great regret and strong denunciation" about the French government's decision to recognize an autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region "within Moroccan sovereignty”.

Algeria was informed of the decision by France in recent days, an Algerian foreign ministry statement added.

The ministry also said Algeria would draw all the consequences from the decision and hold the French government alone completely responsible.