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Sudan has had its most violent week since the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir in April
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The African Union has suspended Sudan's membership "with immediate effect", in a context of renewed violence in the capital that has killed dozens of people.
The pan-African body warned of new actions if power was not transferred to a civilian authority – a key demand from pro-democracy protesters.
According to opposition activists, a paramilitary group killed 108 people this week, but the authorities estimate the figure at 46.
Residents said pro-government militias were spread throughout the capital, Khartoum.
The violence escalated on Monday when security forces stormed a weeklong siege outside the army headquarters in the capital. This is the deadliest incident since former President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted by the army in April after months of peaceful protests.
Talks between opposition activists and the interim ruling military council have since halted.
What did the African Union say?
"The Peace and Security Council of the AU immediately suspended the participation of the Republic of Sudan in all its activities until the establishment of a civilian-led transitional authority. , the only way to allow Sudan to emerge from the current crisis, " The AU tweeted on Thursday.
The decision was unanimously taken by the members at an emergency meeting of the AU in Addis Ababa, which lasted more than five hours.
The Sudanese army attacks protesters
The chairman of the commission of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, called Monday for an "immediate and transparent" investigation into the killings.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was traveling to Khartoum on Friday to mediate between the two sides, the Reuters news agency reported, citing diplomatic sources.
What is the last?
The Sudanese authorities spoke for the first time on Thursday about the death toll, denying the number of dead up to 100 and saying it was "at most" 46.
Doctors linked to the opposition say the figure is as high as 108, and that 40 bodies were removed from the Nile in Khartoum on Tuesday.
Deputy head of the military council, Mohammed Hamadan, defended the violent repression, saying the protesters had been infiltrated by rogue elements and drug traffickers.
Security forces continue to patrol the streets of Khartoum, three days after Monday's violence
At the same time, residents of Khartoum told the BBC that they were living in fear, with most of the city being locked out as a result of the murders.
According to numerous reports, a paramilitary unit, the dreaded Rapid Support Forces (RSF), would travel on Monday on the almost deserted streets of the city, targeting civilians.
Formerly known as the Janjaweed militia, RSF has gained notoriety for the brutal atrocities committed in the Darfur conflict in western Sudan in 2003.
Doctors are afraid to go to work
By Catherine Byaruhanga, BBC News, Khartoum
People continue to accept the violence of the last days. In the former rest area, torn and charred posters as well as burnt tents. The fear is that more deaths could still be there.
Security forces appear to outnumber civilians in the streets of the capital. Information continues to report on their brutal repression.
At the Ibrahim Maleek University Hospital, doctors and nurses did not go to work, fearing being targeted. Instead, it is the medical students who treat the patients.
Thirty-three-year-old Mohanned Mirghani said he was shot at close range by the rapid support forces. "They shot me point-blank, the RSF was how far you are from me now," he said. "Two of my friends were also shot, but I do not know what happened to them."
It's hard to have a fair idea of what happened. One of the main obstacles is the fact that military leaders have cut the internet.
What happened to the discussions?
Sudan has been controlled by a military council since pro-democracy demonstrations put an end to President Bashir's 30 years of authoritarian rule.
The protesters occupied the square in front of the army headquarters, while their representatives negotiated with the military council and agreed on a three-year transition that would culminate in elections.
Pro-Democrat protesters want military council to empower civilians
But after security forces rallied and opened fire on unarmed protesters Monday in the square, the head of the military council – General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan – announced that the agreement was canceled and that an election would take place within nine months.
After a call from Saudi Arabia for the resumption of talks, General Burhan reversed the trend and declared that the military council "would open arms to negotiate without restriction".
But this offer was rejected by opposition activists, who said the military council could not be trusted after the crackdown.
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