Sudan incidents cause "pain and worry" – Pope Francis



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On Sunday, June 9, Pope Francis called for peace in Sudan after the bloody crackdown of security forces on pro-democracy protesters in Khartoum last week.

"News from Sudan is causing pain and concern. We pray for these people so that the violence stops and that the common good is sought in the dialogue, "said the pope in his weekly address to the crowd in St. Peter's Square.

According to opposition doctors, 113 people were killed in this week's violence in the Sudanese capital, while the government estimates that 61 people were killed, including three members of the security services.

The main Sudanese alliance of opposition groups and protesters urged workers and employees to stay home on Sunday, launching a campaign of civil disobedience aimed at forcing military leaders to transfer power to civilians.

Repression

According to reports released Sunday morning, on 9 June, Sudanese protesters called for civil disobedience took flight across the country.

Many parts of the capital, Khartoum, have been abandoned with very few signs of social life. The presence of security officers is however pronounced, the reports added.

The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), an umbrella organization of protest groups, called for civil disobedience following a chaos last week that saw a sit-in in Khartoum violently dispersed by special forces.

The measure also affected air travel at the country's main airport, with travelers stranded. Emirates Airlines also announced the suspension of all flights to Khartoum until Monday, June 10, due to political unrest.

Meanwhile, one of the main players in the FCC, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), said it would not resume talks with the ruling junta, the Transitional Military Council (TMC), as long as its requirements would not be met.

To date, the Internet cuts imposed mid-week last week are still in effect, the reports confirmed. Social media platforms, however, remain essential for disseminating information about the situation in the country.

Summary of the week of deadly chaos and continental concern in Sudan:

  • June 3: RSF (ex-Janjaweed) forces forcibly disperse Khartoum's sit-in
  • June 4: TMC abandons agreement with group of protesters and announces elections in nine months
  • June 5: TMC returns on his talks, said open to dialogue. The protesters hold on. Eritrea calls on the African Union to the crisis.
  • June 6: The AU suspends Sudan in the face of the June 3 crisis, unable to ensure the civilian transition. Internet breaks reported
  • June 7: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed meets parties in Khartoum as part of a mediation effort. Protesters call for civil disobedience
  • June 8: the protest leaders reiterate the conditions for the resumption of dialogue.
  • June 9: civil disobedience begins.

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