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Sudanese protesters are gathering a fifth day in front of the army headquarters in Khartoum. By – (AFP)
Thousands of Sudanese demonstrators camped outside the army headquarters for a fifth day on Wednesday, calling on President Omar al-Bashir to withdraw after the police ordered his forces not to intervene.
In what has become the biggest challenge of Bashir's three decades of rule, protesters have invaded the complex all night, trying to sing and dance to the sound of revolutionary songs, witnesses said.
Hundreds of mobile phones were held in the air, casting a sea of lights on the tide of people mbaded outside the buildings.
"The night was calm and uneventful," said a protester who spent the night at the complex.
Map of Sudan locating Khartoum and Omdurman. By Gillian HANDYSIDE (AFP) "We think the support of the soldiers on the ground and now the police is developing."
However, Bashir group loyalists called for a demonstration of support for the president on Thursday and called on all members of the ruling party to participate.
"The National Congress Party Executive Bureau supports the initiative of the national dialogue partners to organize a rally gathering all residents Thursday," said the acting leader of the ruling Bashir party, Ahmed Harun, in a statement.
"I call all members of the NCP of the State of Khartoum to participate in this gathering."
The anti-government protesters braved the steady flush of tear gas from members of the powerful national intelligence and security service from their encampment to army headquarters on April 6, organizers said.
& # 39; Police with us & # 39;
But for the first time on Tuesday night, they were not faced with any "threat" from security agents during the night, said the protester who did not want to be named for security reasons.
"The soldiers of the complex are also angry after the tear gas attacks and are determined to prevent them," said another protester at AFP.
Sudanese protesters greet a military armored vehicle in front of the army headquarters in Khartoum. By – (AFP) According to witnesses, the soldiers had placed several machine-gun vehicles at the doors of the complex, which also houses Bashir's residence and the Ministry of Defense.
On Tuesday, security agents had to abandon their offers to disperse the crowd when soldiers fired in the air to counter the flames of tear gas from security guards.
"It seems that the police are also with us," said the protester.
"When we arrived at the army's premises last night, we saw many policemen, but they did not arrest us."
Police on Tuesday ordered his officers to avoid intervening against the protesters.
"We call on God to preserve the security and calm of our country (…) and to unite the people of Sudan (…) for an agreement that would support the peaceful transition of power," said a spokesman for the police in a statement.
Food, water for the protesters
On Wednesday, protesters raised funds to ensure a steady supply of food and water for the crowd.
Sudanese protesters challenge the ban on demonstrations to hold the biggest challenge to Bashir's 30-year rule. By – (AFP) "Many traders and businessmen offered us free supplies," said another protester.
The organizers of the demonstration launched their last campaign Saturday as part of a movement that has lasted for several months against the 30-year reign of Bashir.
The first demonstrations took place on December 19 in response to the government's decision to triple the price of bread.
But they quickly embarked on a national campaign against the Bashir regime with rallies organized in towns and villages.
Bashir remained provocative and imposed a string of harsh measures, including a national emergency, which led to numerous arrests of journalists and activists.
According to officials, 38 people died as a result of violence related to the demonstrations.
On Tuesday, the United States, Britain and Norway for the first time put their weight behind the protesters, calling for a credible political transition plan in Sudan.
"The time has come for the Sudanese authorities to respond seriously to these popular demands," said the so-called troika of Western diplomatic actors.
"The Sudanese authorities must now react and present a credible plan for this political transition."
The defense minister, General Awad Ibnouf, promised that the army would prevent any tipping into chaos.
"The Sudanese armed forces understand the reasons for the demonstrations and do not oppose the demands and aspirations of the citizens, but they will not allow the country to sink into chaos," Ibnouf said on Monday, according to official media reports.
The coordinating group that leads the protests has also issued an appeal to the army for it to discuss the formation of a transitional government.
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