Sudanese Set for Nationwide Protests against Military Coup

Arab World

October 30th, 6:20am

Asharq Al-Awsat

Pro-democracy protesters flash the victory sign as they take to the streets to condemn a takeover by military officials, in Khartoum, Sudan, October 25, 2021. (Ashraf Idris/AP)

Opponents of a military coup in Sudan have called for nationwide protests on Saturday to demand the restoration of a civilian-led government to put the country back on a path to democracy. Thousands of Sudanese have already taken to the streets this week to protest against General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's ouster of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's cabinet in a coup that led Western states to freeze hundreds of millions in aid. With at least 11 protesters killed in clashes with security forces this week, opponents of the junta fear a full-blown crackdown and more bloodshed, reported AFP. The United States, which is calling for the restoration of the civilian-led government, said how the army reacts on Saturday will be a test of its intentions. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sudan’s security forces must respect human rights and any violence against peaceful demonstrators is "unacceptable". The United States continues to stand with "Sudan’s people in their nonviolent struggle for democracy," he said in a Twitter Post. With internet and phone lines restricted by the authorities, opponents of the coup have sought to mobilize for the protest using fliers, SMS messages, graffiti, and neighborhood rallies.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3274906/sudanese-set-nationwide-protests-against-military-coup