Protests planned in Sudan amid calls for civilian rule

KHARTOUM, Sudan

Sudanese groups have called for mass rallies on Wednesday to demand civilian rule in the country, amid tension over last month’s military takeover.

“The people will continue their protests to hand over power to civilians and defeat of the coup,” the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) said in a statement.

The Sudanese Professionals Association, which spearheaded protests that led to the overthrow of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, and the Sudanese Congress Party also called for mass turnout in Wednesday’s protests.

The calls came as Sudanese authorities shut four main bridges in the capital Khartoum in anticipation of the planned protests.

Mobile phone lines were also cut in Khartoum ahead of the protests, local residents told Anadolu Agency.

There was no comment from the Sudanese authorities on the report.

Internet service has been cut in Sudan since last month’s military takeover.

On Oct. 25, the head of Sudan’s ruling military council, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, declared a state of emergency and dissolved the transitional Sovereign Council and government amid rival protests and accusations between the military and politicians in the country.

Al-Burhan insists that the measures are meant to protect the country from an “imminent danger” and accused those rejecting his move as “stirring chaos.”

Last week, al-Burhan issued a decree to form a new ruling transitional council, appointing himself its chairman.

Before the military takeover, Sudan was administered by a sovereign council of military and civilian officials which was overseeing the transition period until elections are held in 2023 as part of a precarious power-sharing pact between the military and FFC.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara