Sudan: 5 killed and dozens wounded during demonstrations against ‘military coup’

KHARTOUM, Nov. 14 (YPA) – At least five people were killed and dozens injured on Saturday when army chiefs in Sudan cracked down on mass rallies protesting against last month’s military coup.

AFP reported security forces closed bridges on Saturday between central Khartoum and its twin cities of Omdurman and Khartoum North, laying barbed wire to block access. Roads to strategic sites were also shut.

They fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse tens of thousands of people who took to the streets in the capital, Khartoum, and other cities, according to the Sudan Central Medical Committee.

The demonstrations come two days after military leader Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan formed a new ruling council that excluded the civilian coalition the military had been sharing power with since 2019.

Sudanese pro-democracy groups condemned the move and vowed to continue their campaign of civil disobedience and protests against the Oct. 25 coup.

Activists, via text messages and drawing on walls , called on Sudanese to demonstrate heavily to restore power to civilians and spare the country mired in a political recession from a new “military dictatorship.”

E.M