Protesters rally in Sudan to demand full civilian rule

KHARTOUM, Sudan

Sudanese protesters staged fresh demonstrations in the central city of Madani on Tuesday to demand full civilian rule and the release of political prisoners.

“Yes to civil democratic rule” and “Freedom, peace and justice” were among banners waved by protesters as they marched in the city, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter on the ground.

Opposition groups estimate that there are more than 200 political protesters held by Sudanese authorities, including 96 in the Suba prison in the capital Khartoum.

Since Oct. 25 last year, Sudan has witnessed protests in response to exceptional measures taken by army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, most notably the imposition of a state of emergency and the dissolution of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s transitional government, a move decried by political forces as a “military coup”.

At least 81 protesters have been killed in protests against the military since then, according to local medics.

Prior to the military takeover, Sudan was governed by a sovereign council of military and civilian officials tasked with overseeing the transition period until elections in 2023.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar