Sudan protesters press demands on 1st Friday of Ramadan

KHARTOUM

Thousands of protesters continued to stage demonstrations on the first Friday of Ramadan outside army headquarters in Khartoum to demand that Sudan’s ruling Military Transitional Council (MTC) hand over power to a civilian authority.

In a Friday sermon delivered near the protest, Abdul-Rahman Hassan, a prominent preacher, urged the MTC to prosecute figures close to ousted President Omar al-Bashir for their alleged role in violence against protesters.

“We have already tried military rule, under which we saw only oppression and corruption,” Hassan said.

Following Friday prayers, protesters chanted slogans demanding “freedom, peace, justice and a government chosen by the people”.

On April 11, the Sudanese army announced the “removal” of al-Bashir following months of popular protest against his 30-year rule.

The MTC is now overseeing a two-year “transitional period” during which it has pledged to hold presidential elections.

Demonstrators, however, have remained on the streets to demand that the ruling military council relinquish authority -- at the earliest possible date -- to a civilian body.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat

KHARTOUM

“We have already tried military rule, under which we saw only oppression and corruption,” Hassan said.

Following Friday prayers, protesters chanted slogans demanding “freedom, peace, justice and a government chosen by the people”.

On April 11, the Sudanese army announced the “removal” of al-Bashir following months of popular protest against his 30-year rule.

The MTC is now overseeing a two-year “transitional period” during which it has pledged to hold presidential elections.

Demonstrators, however, have remained on the streets to demand that the ruling military council relinquish authority -- at the earliest possible date -- to a civilian body.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat