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Western nations call for ‘political transition’ in Sudan
KHARTOUM, April 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Western nations Tuesday threw their
weight behind Sudanese protesters demanding a plan for a political transition
as security forces abandoned a bid to disperse demonstrators camped outside
the army headquarters.
The protests, which first began in December, pose the biggest challenge
to President Omar al-Bashir in his three decades of iron-fisted rule.
Thousands chanting “freedom, freedom” stayed camped outside army
headquarters in Khartoum for a fourth day Tuesday, after security forces
abandoned two separate bids to disperse them when soldiers fired in the air
to protect demonstrators, witnesses said.
“The time has come for the Sudanese authorities to respond to these
popular demands in a serious and credible way,” the embassies of the United
States, Britain and Norway said in a joint statement.
“The Sudanese authorities must now respond and deliver a credible plan
for this political transition,” they added.
Thousands have been rallying since Saturday outside the sprawling
complex that also houses the president’s residence in the largest demo since
the protests erupted against a three-fold increase in bread prices in
December.
The demonstrations have since mushroomed in towns and cities across the
northeast African country, widening their demands to call for Bashir to step
down.
– Defiant despite tear gas –
Early on Tuesday, members of the National Intelligence and Security
Service and riot police fired tear gas at the protesters in an abortive bid
to end their sit-in, protest movement organisers said.
“There was heavy firing of tear gas after which army soldiers opened the
gates of the compound for protesters to enter,” a witness told AFP.
“A few minutes later a group of soldiers fired gunshots in the air to
push back the security forces who were firing tear gas.”
A second witness said soldiers had intervened against the security force
agents.
Since the protests erupted in December, the armed forces have remained
on the sidelines even as security agents and riot police have cracked down.
On Tuesday, the crowds could be seen hoisting soldiers into the air on
their shoulders, and dancing and chanting with them.
The demonstrators have called on the army to protect them from the deadly
crackdown, during their four days camped outside its headquarters.
Hours later, security forces made a second attempt to clear the sit-in
Tuesday, witnesses said.
They fired tear gas and shot in the air as they approached the area,
witnesses said, adding that soldiers intervened again firing in the air.
Footage obtained by AFP in Paris showed security agents also firing in
the air to clear the sit-in on Monday, an operation which also had to be
abandoned after troops intervened.
Troops can be seen firing machine-guns as protesters run in groups, some
taking shelter behind army vehicles and chanting “Allahu Akbar (God is
Greatest)”.
– ‘No chaos’ –
Defence Minister General Awad Ibnouf vowed the army would prevent any
slide into chaos.
“Sudan’s armed forces understand the reasons for the demonstrations and
is not against the demands and aspirations of the citizens, but it will not
allow the country to fall into chaos,” Ibnouf said on Monday, quoted by the
official SUNA news agency.
In a separate statement, army chief of staff Kamal Abdelmarouf said the
military was “discharging its responsibility in securing and protecting
citizens.”
Officials say 38 people have died in protest-related violence since
December.
After a meeting chaired by Bashir on Sunday, Sudan’s security council
said the demands of the protesters “have to be heard”.
Bashir — wanted by the Hague-based International Criminal Court on
charges of war crimes and genocide connected with the suppression of a now
16-year-old ethnic minority rebellion in the western region of Darfur — took
power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989.
He has responded to the unrest with tough measures that have seen
protesters, opposition leaders, activists and journalists arrested.
Interior Minister Bushara Juma said seven protesters died and 15 were
wounded on Saturday while 2,496 arrests were made.
The umbrella group spearheading the protests has appealed to the army
for talks on forming a transitional government.
Omar el-Digeir, a senior member of the group, said protest organisers
had formed a council to open talks aimed at agreeing a “transitional
government that represents the wish of the revolution”.
BSS/AFP/RY/20:6 hrs