Sudan Forces Fire Tear Gas at Pro-democracy Protesters

Arab World

November 9th, 6:43am

Asharq Al-Awsat

Tyres were set on fire by protesters angry at last year's military coup in Sudan to block roads in Khartoum - AFP

Sudanese security forces fired tear gas Tuesday as they confronted thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators in the capital Khartoum, an AFP correspondent said. Protesters chanted "No to military rule" as they marched towards the presidential palace, denouncing a coup last year led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan that derailed a transition to civilian rule. Burhan seized power in October 2021 and arrested civilian leaders appointed following the 2019 ouster of long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir, plunging Sudan into a political and economic crisis. "We will not stop until the military power is toppled and replaced with a civilian government," said protester Hadia Mohammed. "We will not leave the streets until we achieve the goals of the revolution: liberty, peace and justice," said Samer Omar, another activist, draped in a Sudanese flag and wearing a yellow helmet for protection. Eyewitnesses said thousands also demonstrated in the city of Wad Madani, south of Khartoum, and Gedaref in the east. Security forces have cracked down on near-weekly protests since the 2021 coup, resulting in at least 119 deaths, according to pro-democracy medics. Since the military power grab, activists have warned that several Bashir-era loyalists had been appointed to official positions, including in the judiciary, which is currently trying the former dictator.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3977071/sudan-forces-fire-tear-gas-pro-democracy-protesters