Sudan: Thousands rally to mark 40 days since deadly crackdown
Thousands of Sudanese demonstrators took to the streets on Saturday, still angry at the storming of a protest sit-in in the capital Khartoum last month which left dozens dead.
The rallies — dubbed Justice First — followed a call by the protest movement, the Alliance for Freedom and Change, for a “transparent and fair” investigation into the massacre.
Chanting “Blood for blood, we won’t accept compensations,” crowds of protesters marched in Khartoum’s northern district of Bahari. Similar rallies were held in several other cities.
Read more: Sudan military council says it foiled attempted military coup
Power-sharing not finalized
Saturday’s marches were also meant to pressure the ruling military council to sign a power-sharing agreement with the civilian opposition three months after they took power, ending President Omar al-Bashir’s three-decade rule.
Protests first erupted in December against the autocrat Bashir’s government, prompting Sudan’s military to step in on April 11, only to face further protests demanding a return to civilian rule.
Protesters held up a photo of one of the men killed in the pre-dawn raid on the sit-in site
The troubles came to a head on June 3 when crowds of protesters were violently dispersed by men in military fatigues in a pre-dawn raid on a protest site outside the army headquarters in Khartoum.
Sudan’s military council insists it did not order the raid, which according to the protest movement killed more than 100 people and wounded hundreds more. Authorities have put the death toll at 61.
Read more: Ex-Sudan leader Bashir appears before prosecutor to face corruption charges
Deal due any day
Saturday’s rallies were the first since the ruling military council and civilian opposition agreed in principle to a power-sharing arrangement ahead of elections. The deal has yet to be finalized and signed.
A meeting between the two sides planned for Saturday was postponed to Sunday.
The new governing body aims to install a transitional civilian administration for a period of just over three years, presided over by a military nominee for the first 21 months, and by a civilian for the last 18 months.
In another twist to the crisis, the military said on Thursday it had foiled an attempt by 12 soldiers to seize power.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
Breaking fast during the protests
For weeks — even during Ramadan — thousands of protesters camped outside Sudan’s defense ministry, demanding a transitional council in which civilians could decide the future of the country. In early June the military moved in and forcefully removed the protesters. Dozens of people died and those who survived reported rapes, sexual abuse, and the use of force.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
For the love of the country
A protester holds up the national flag outside the army headquarters. His demand: that Sudan’s Transitional Military Council hand over power to the civilians. This, the protesters believe, will be an important step towards democracy.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
Warning signs
In early June, just days ahead of the crackdown on the sit-in, the military increased its presence on the streets. Many protesters predicted that the army would not want to hand over power. This was what they hoped for after the ousting of longtime president Omar al-Bashir.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
The end of an era
From 1989 until his April 2019, Omar al-Bashir ruled Sudan. He suppressed critics. In 1999 he even dismantled parliament in order to maintain his grip on power. His name will, however, be remembered for his handling of the Darfur crisis. His troops’ harsh response led to thousands of deaths, and for that, he is wanted for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
A dictator in court
Many Sudanese had been waiting for this day for a long time — the day when Omar al-Bashir would have to face a court. On June 16, he appeared before prosecutors, accused of corruption and the illegal possession of foreign currency. After being ousted, security forces found over one million US dollars stashed away in his villa.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
The voice of the women
Many women actively participated in the protests, and they gave the protests a different face. Their presence underlined the protesters demand for democracy and equal rights. During the brutal crackdown by security forces, many women reported sexual abuse and rape as a means to silence them.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
The Nubian queen – an icon of the revolution
Architecture student Alaa Salah became the face of the revolution. A photographer shot this picture as she stood on top of a car and addressed protesters. Photos and videos of her protest chants trended on social media. Online she is known as “Kandaka” or the Nubian queen.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
International solidarity
Thanks to social media, the protests rapidly caught international attention and support from human rights groups and Sudanese living abroad. In a statement, the EU’s foreign ministers urged for an immediate end to all forms of violence against Sudanese civilians.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
Some still support the military
But not all Sudanese civilians are against the army. Some people, in fact, want a tough military rule to give the country security and strength. The army supporters have placed their faith in General Abdel Fattah Burhan, the head of the Transitional Military Council.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
The strongman in the background
The real power, however, lies not with General Abdel Fattah Burhan, but his deputy, General Mohammed Hamdan Daglu, also known as “Hemeti.” He heads the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who cracked down brutally on the protesters. During the war in Darfur, he commanded the feared Janjaweed militias. The protesters fear that he could, in the end, take power.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
No end in sight to the protests
The protests continued unabated throughout June. Military leaders on Monday, June 23, turned down a proposal for a power-sharing deal. The protest leaders, represented by the coalition Forces for Declaration of Freedom and Change, which includes the Sudanese Professional’s Association, had accepted the deal which was negotiated with the help of Ethiopia.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
Power-sharing deal negotiated
On July 5 members of the military and protest movement representatives announced they had reached a deal to share power. For the next three years, a transitional council consisting of six civilians and five military figures will lead the country. Democratic elections will then be held. People in Khartoum celebrated the news, though the practicalities of implementation cause conflict to reignite.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
Help from the Gulf
Politicians of other Arab nations continue to watch the developments in Sudan with a certain degree of concern. Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, it is believed, fears that successful grassroots protests could set an example for citizens in the Arab Peninsula. Both the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia appear to be supporting the military regime.
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Sudan: From protests to power struggle
The neighbor in the North
Cairo seems similarly concerned about the events in Khartoum. Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (pictured l. with Omar al-Bashir in 2018) fears that the Muslim Brotherhood, which Eygpt has been trying to silence, could fall on fertile ground in Sudan. If the Muslim Brotherhood gains support in Sudan, al-Sisi believes that its success might strengthen the group again in Egypt.
mm/jm (AFP, AP, Reuters)
Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/sudan-thousands-rally-to-mark-40-days-since-deadly-crackdown/a-49581547?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf