Sudan’s forces use tear gas, stun grenades to disperse rally against post-coup deal
Sudanese security forces have clashed with protesters in the capital Khartoum during a rally against a much-criticized deal purportedly aimed at ending the crisis provoked by the 2021 military coup.
Violence broke out on Monday after Sudanese security forces in the city used tear gas and stun grenades to scatter thousands of protesters who had gathered in a public display of objection to the tentative agreement signed by military and civilian leaders earlier in the month.
The deal, signed by the military leaders who staged the coup last year and political parties on December 5, faces major challenges such as limited public backing and the deferral of contentious issues, including transitional justice and reform of the security forces.
Calling for civilian rule and chanting, "You will not rule us with this deal," the protesters marched to within about 1.5 kilometers of the presidential palace, while police blocked their way with armored trucks.
“The revolution will continue and will not stop. Our basic demand is to live a decent life in this country, and we will not give up our rights in any way, even if agreements were signed between politicians and soldiers, this is not what the Sudanese people want,” said Al-Jamri, a protester in the capital.
“We will not accept anything other than a civilian government,” said Samira Hassan, another protester.
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Similar rallies were reported in other cities, with protesters waving Sudanese flags and carrying posters with the images of people killed during anti-coup demonstrations since October 2021.
Ahead of the Monday protests, security forces had closed roads leading to the defense ministry premises and shut several of the bridges linking Khartoum with its adjoining cities of Omdurman and Bahri – the scenes of similar demonstrations.
The protests coincided with the fourth anniversary of the outbreak of months-long mass protests that toppled long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.
Bashir's three-decade rule was followed by a short-lived transition to civilian rule, upended in October last year, when army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan led the coup. Sudan has plunged deeper into political and economic turmoil ever since.
Since October 2021, more than 120 civilians have been killed by security forces.
Sudan is home to one of the world's poorest nations. It has been reeling from a stagnating economy. The country, with a population of about 45 million people, is currently witnessing skyrocketing inflation due to decades of international isolation and mismanagement.
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