Thousands of Sudanese protest on uprising anniversary

Security forces fired tear gas at protesters in Khartoum on 19 Dec 2021. [Photo: AFP]

People across Sudan joined mass protests on Sunday over the military’s takeover, as they mark the third anniversary of a popular uprising, the BBC reported.

People across Sudan joined mass protests on Sunday over the military’s takeover, as they mark the third anniversary of a popular uprising, the BBC reported.

Hundreds of thousands marched in the capital Khartoum, where security forces responded with tear gas.

Demonstrations in 2019 led to the overthrow of Sudan’s long-term authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir making way for a power-sharing deal between civilian and military leaders that led to another coup in October. 

Last month, the country’s ousted Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was reinstated, after being put under house arrest in the military takeover.

But the move has failed to stop protests in the country, where demonstrators have been calling for an entirely civilian political leadership.

The BBC says on Sunday, protesters marched towards the presidential palace in Khartoum, which is home to coup leader Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, chanting: “The people are stronger and retreat is impossible.” They also called for Gen Burhan’s “downfall”. 

“Any form of coup is rejected, even with Hamdok’s return to the government. Our revolution, the glorious December revolution, is for the sake of a civil institution and a complete civil authority, not for the sake of individuals,” one protester told AFP news agency.

Protests were also being held in several other cities across the country.

At least 45 people have been killed in crackdowns on protesters since the October takeover, according to the independent Doctors’ Committee.