Sudan police fire tear gas at protesters as tens of thousands rally in capital for revolt anniversary

Police in Sudan have fired tear gas at anti-coup protesters as tens of thousands of people rallied in the capital of the African country to mark the third anniversary of the nation’s revolt against strongman Omar al-Bashir.

On Sunday, tens of thousands of people filled the streets of capital Khartoum to express their strong dissent against the October military coup and also mark the third anniversary of massive protests that touched off a popular uprising across Sudan.

Bashir was ultimately deposed through a military coup following months of protests in April 2019, after ruling over the country for three decades. In August the same year, a governing council comprised of civilian and military leaders, was founded to run the country.

The transitional civilian-military administration, Sudan’s highest executive authority, is tasked with leading the country to free and fair multiparty elections.

However, a military coup, led by Sudan's military chief and de facto leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was staged on October 25 that dissolved the fragile government. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was detained and put under house arrest in a move that infuriated the Sudanese and sparked international outcry, including from the UN Security Council. Other civilian leaders were also held in military detention.

The ensuing crackdown against anti-coup protesters has left at least 45 people dead since October 25, according to the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors.

Hamdok was later released and in November 21 signed a power-sharing deal with the Burhan-led junta, according to which Hamdok would continue his career as Sudan’s prime minister, all political prisoners detained during the coup will be released, and a 2019 constitutional declaration would be the basis for a political transition.

According to the deal, July 2023 has been set as the date for Sudan's first free elections since 1986.

The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), however, has completely rejected the deal, lambasting it as being “treacherous”. Pro-democracy SPA is an umbrella of 17 different unions that were instrumental in the months-long demonstrations that led to the ousting of Bashir.

Protest rallies against the coup have continued even after the reinstatement of Hamdok, with demonstrators demanding no military involvement at all in government.

Security forces on Sunday fired tear gas canisters and stun grenades to disperse the large crowds of angry protesters who were shouting “the people want the downfall of Burhan.”    

Protesters also marched toward the presidential palace and convened less than a kilometer from the building, chanting “the people are stronger and retreat is impossible.”

They demand full civilian rule under the slogan “no negotiation, no partnership, no legitimacy.”

Demonstrators from nearby city of Omdurman also managed to reach central Khartoum through a bridge connecting the two cities, although large numbers of security forces had blocked bridges into the capital.

Security forces had also blocked major roads leading to the airport and army headquarters. Furthermore, joint army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces had been heavily deployed around the presidential palace.

Protest rallies were also planned in other cities across the country, including Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast and El-Deain in the western region of Darfur.

The massive rallies came just a day after Hamdok warned in a statement that Sudan's revolution faced a major setback and that political intransigence from all sides threatened the country's unity and stability.

Hamdok has so far defended the deal, saying he partnered with the military in an attempt to “stop the bloodshed” that resulted from crackdown on anti-coup street protests.

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