Hundreds of Sudanese protesters took to the streets across the country on Wednesday demanding the resignation of the transitional government over delayed justice and recent harsh economic reforms.
The protesters in Khartoum and other states around the country burned tyres along the streets and waved banners calling on the joint military-civilian government to step down.
On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $2.5bn loan and debt relief deal that will see Sudan’s external debt reduced by some $50bn. Protesters say the IMF-backed economic reforms are too harsh.
Nashwa Ali, a protester in Khartoum said, they demand justice for their loved ones killed during demonstrations that ousted former President Omar al Bashir in April 2019.
"Our demands are centered on achieving justice for our martyrs and currently I think 70 percent of the ruling government are military," Nashwa said. “All the military agents as seen to be controlling the decisions, and influencing the increase in prices of goods."
Another protester and a human rights activist, Abu Hureira Abdurrahman, said he supports the transitional government but urged them to remain on track by instituting constitutional and judicial reforms.
"This is a wake-up call for the government to complete the constitutional structure,” he demanded.
Rafat Arrasheed Al Hadi, a protester in Blue Nile state said the people can no longer afford necessities like bread, medicine, and fuel due to the runaway inflation.
“Our economy is in a bad shape and there are no clear mechanisms to improve it," he said.
Other protesters called for the immediate integration of the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the Sudanese Armed Forces, saying the existence of different military commands is a threat to the process of democratization.
Sudan’s interior ministry late on Wednesday said in a statement that 52 police officers were wounded in clashes in several parts of Khartoum.
Early this year, the Sudanese transitional government made several attempts at reviving its failing economy including, floating its currency, addressing heavy government subsidies, particularly on fuel, and seeking investment from international donors.