SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 18 April 2024, Thursday |

Sudan riot police fire tear gas at protesters in Khartoum

Sudanese riot police sprayed tear gas at tens of thousands of protestors in Khartoum on Thursday, demanding an immediate transition of power from the country’s military leadership.

It was the most recent of dozens of protests held after a military coup in October upended Sudan’s democratic transition after almost three decades of authoritarian leadership under President Omar al-Bashir.

On Thursday, protests erupted in Khartoum’s twin city of Omdurman, as well as the cities of Madani, Nyala, and Atbara. Social media was flooded with videos of protesters beating drums, waving Sudanese flags, and chanting anti-military slogans.

There were also recordings of demonstrators throwing stones at police in Khartoum’s capital while riot police shot tear gas.

On Thursday, there were no early reports of any casualties. According to the Sudan Doctors Committee, which keeps track of protester deaths, some 90 individuals have been died since the coup, including 15 children.

The Sudanese Professionals’ Association and the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, an alliance of political parties and organisations that drove the rebellion that led to al-downfall Bashir’s in 2019, organized the rally.

Protests have been occurring on a daily basis since the military takeover on October 25. Authorities have launched a bloody crackdown, including firing live fire and tear gas into people in the streets and shutting down the country’s internet and cell signal –  all in efforts to keep people from gathering.

    Source:
  • Associated Press