Sudanese crisis: security forces condemned for violence against protesters

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The Sudanese military has been sentenced for their violent attack on protesters in the capital, Khartoum, which reportedly killed at least 13 people.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an independent investigation, saying he was "alarmed" by reports that officers opened fire in a hospital.

The United States has described the "brutal repression" and the United Kingdom as "scandalous".

Sudan has been ruled by a military council since the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir by a coup in April.

Leaders of the pro-democracy movement, who are calling for a civilian government to take over the country's management, said they were ending all contact with the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and called for a strike. General.

What happened to the event sites?

Security services went to the main protest site on Monday, activists said, and heavy gunshots could be heard in video footage.

TMC spokesman General Shams al-Din Kabbashi said the forces had moved to a location near the main demonstration area, which had "been a hotbed of corruption and negative practices for a long time." ".

"Sudanese forces have not dispersed the sit-in in front of the army headquarters, but have targeted a neighboring area become a threat to the security of citizens," he told the chain Sky News Arabia, based in the United Arab Emirates.

Activists also said that security forces surrounded a hospital in Khartoum and opened fire on another.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, close to the protesters, said 13 people were killed and many more wounded.

Some residents accuse the famous paramilitary unit known as the Rapid Support Forces, created to help Bashir retain his power and roots in the Darfur conflict in western Sudan, which began in 2003.

Then known as "janjaweed", this militia carried out frequent mbadacres.

The Sudanese Professionals' Association (ASP), which organizes protests nationwide, has called for a campaign of "radical civil disobedience aimed at overthrowing treacherous and murderous military council".

What was the reaction?

The UN secretary general urged the Sudanese authorities to facilitate the opening of an independent investigation and hold those responsible accountable.

"He condemns the use of force to disperse protesters at the site of the sit-in and is alarmed by reports that security forces have opened fire inside medical centers," M said. Guterres in a statement.

In another reaction:

• British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was "a scandalous step that would only lead to more polarization and violence" and that the military council "bears full responsibility".
• Tibor Nagy, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, said: "This is a brutal and coordinated attack, led by the Rapid Support Forces militia, which reflects some of the worst crimes of the Bashir regime "
• The African Union called for an immediate and transparent investigation

The official Sudanese news agency said the prosecutor had set up a committee to investigate the violence.

The "power of people" is a huge success

Analysis of Tomi Oladipo, BBC correspondent for security in Africa

He is back to square one for Sudan's political process. The hardening of positions that blocked the talks between the protest groups and the TMC was further reinforced by both sides.

Expect more resolute protests and even more ruthless repression by men in uniform. These are the ones who are governing right now. What matters is what faction of security forces has the upper hand on the TMC.

The extremists, especially the rapid support forces – led by deputy regime chief Mohamed "Hemeti" Hamdan Dagalo – seem to be leading the way and could be more cruel than ever.

There was total containment in Khartoum, indicating that something has changed within the regime. "People's power" takes a hit, but protesters may be willing to take more risks to force the army's hand, if possible.

What is the background?

Protesters have occupied the square in front of army headquarters since April 6, five days before the overthrow of Mr. Bashir.

Last month, organizers and generals in power announced that they had agreed on the structure of a new administration and a three-year transition period to a new civil regime.

But they have yet to decide on the composition of what has been called the Sovereign Council, which will be the supreme decision-making body of the transition period.

They can not agree on whether civilians or the military should have the majority of positions.

Road to transition

• December 19, 2018 – Demonstrations break out after the announcement of rising prices for fuel and bread
• February 22, 2019 – President Bashir dissolves the government
• 24 February – Demonstrations continue as security forces respond with live ammunition
• April 6 – Activists begin to occupy army headquarters, vowing not to move until Bashir withdraws
• April 11 – The army generals announce the overthrow of Mr. Bashir, but the sit-in continues as the people demand a civil regime.
• 20 April – Opening of talks between military leaders and civilian representatives
• May 13 – A shootout in front of army headquarters kills six people
• May 14 – Military and civilians announce agreement over three-year transition period
• May 16 – Discussions postponed following the removal of barricades demanded by the army
• June 3 – Activists announce the suspension of talks with the military, accusing them of having used force to disperse their sit-in

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