[ad_1]
Demonstration in Sudan: protesters continue sit-in despite crackdown
Heavy gunfire was heard outside army headquarters in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, where thousands of protesters hold a sit-in for the third consecutive night.
They demand the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir.
Witnesses reported seeing people go to the shelter after shooting began. Earlier, tear gas was fired.
It seems that this is the last attempt of the government security agents to disperse the protests.
Ahmed Mahmoud, one of the protesters, told the BBC that "tear agents and live ammunition were being used" by agents of the National Security and Intelligence Service (NISS) against protesters.
Ghana News Titles
For the latest news in Ghana, visit the Graphic Online titles page
Ghana News Page
He added that the soldiers had provided shelter for the protesters in their compound.
"It is useless for Omar Bashir to continue using his thugs to get us out of the street because we are going nowhere."
At least two soldiers are believed to have died since protests began in front of army headquarters on Saturday.
Previous attempts to disperse the crowd have also led to reports that soldiers have intervened to protect protesters from NISS agents.
International appeals have urged the government to refrain from using force against civilians. President Bashir has called for talks to end the crisis.
The country's interior minister announced on Monday that seven protesters were killed and 15 wounded, while 42 members of the security forces were wounded. He added that around 2,500 people had been arrested.
Why do they protest?
Demonstrations against Bashir, who has been running Sudan since 1989, have been going on for several months.
The demonstrations were originally caused by the rising cost of living, but the protesters are now calling the president to resign.
During the weekend, a large group gathered in front of the headquarters of the army, the Ministry of Defense and the president in Khartoum.
The protesters want the armed forces to withdraw support for the government. Representatives of the protesters said they were looking for talks with the military about forming a transitional government.
A senior official of the demonstration, Omar el-Digeir, told the AFP news agency that the group was looking for a way "that represents the wish of the revolution".
Monday marked the third night of the sit
Human rights groups have criticized the government for reacting brutally to the unrest.
What was the answer?
On Monday, a dramatic video appeared showing soldiers firing on an obscure target as civilians hid behind them. The protesters said the soldiers were reacting to the firing of NISS agents.
Other eyewitnesses claimed that the army had fired warning shots while chasing the agents.
Information Minister Hbadan Ismail contradicted the information on the fracture.
"The security devices are coherent and work with positive energy and in harmony," he said Monday.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged all parties to "show utmost restraint and avoid violence".
Government officials today admit that 38 people have died since the unrest began in December, but the Human Rights Watch lobby says the number is higher.
Why is the president controversial?
Mr Bashir's power was broken by accusations of human rights violations.
He is the subject of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The United States imposed sanctions on the country more than 20 years ago, accusing Khartoum of sponsoring terrorist groups.
Last year, the Sudanese pound lost its value and inflation rose. The government then announced that the price of gasoline and bread would increase, causing protests.
In February, the president seemed about to step down, but Mr Bashir declared the state of national emergency.
The latest protests mark the 34th anniversary of the coup that overthrew the regime of former president Jaafar Nimeiri.
[ad_2]
Source link
