Sudanese maintain protests to demand civilian rule

KHARTOUM

Thousands of people continued to protest on Friday outside army headquarters in capital Khartoum to demand that Sudan’s ruling Military Transitional Council (MTC) hand over power to a civilian authority.

For the fourth consecutive week, demonstrators performed Friday prayers in Khartoum’s Al-Itisam Square, where preachers hailed the “revolution” and reiterated calls for “freedom, peace and justice”.

On April 11, the Sudanese army announced the “removal” of President Omar al-Bashir following months of popular protests against his 30-year rule.

The MTC is now overseeing a two-year post-Bashir “transitional period” during which it has pledged to hold free presidential elections.

Demonstrators, however, have remained on the streets to demand that the MTC hand over power -- at the earliest possible date -- to an elected civilian authority.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat