Sudan. Protesters at Army HQ maintain pressure on Bashir



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Legend of the mediaProtests in Sudan: Thousands gather for the second day of protests in Khartoum

Thousands of protesters spent the second night camping in front of the Sudanese army headquarters, asking President Omar al-Bashir to withdraw.

They seem to be hoping for a coup by the internal state, imploring the army command to dismiss Mr. Bashir and pave the way for a transitional government.

This is the biggest protest against Mr. Bashir since the start of unrest in December.

Bashir refused to leave, saying opponents should seek power through elections.

Security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to try to disperse protesters in front of the army compound in the capital, Khartoum.

According to eyewitnesses, soldiers intervened to protect the activists, forcing the security forces to withdraw. Some civilians were reportedly accommodated at the headquarters of the Sudanese Navy.

The army has not yet officially intervened in the protests.

The latest rallies mark the 34th anniversary of the coup that overthrew the regime of former president Jaafar Nimeiri.

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In previous protests, security forces fired live ammunition. Dozens of protesters were killed.

On Saturday, a protester died in the twin city of Khartoum, Omdurman, police said.

The protester Hamid Murtada told the BBC that the number of protesters was growing and that there was "a lot of tension".

"Everyone is optimistic, happy and enthusiastic, but also a bit worried about what will happen next," he said.

The Sudanese Minister of Information reaffirmed the government's plan to resolve the crisis through talks and congratulated the security forces.

Unpredictable political struggle

By Fergal Keane, Editor-in-Chief of the BBC for Africa

Admittedly, the scenes in Khartoum are impressive. Nothing like these crowds has been observed for decades.

But there have been several deaths and there is the possibility of a brutal crackdown at any time.

And even if Mr. Bashir resigned, he was not sure he would be replaced by the pluralist government demanded by the protesters.

The authoritarian states of twenty-first century Africa have managed to create the impression of change, but with little substance.

What is happening now can be part of a much longer and more unpredictable political struggle.

Why do people protest?

Journalist Mohamed Ali Fazari, who was on the scene in Khartoum, said the protesters urged the army to side with the people against the government.

The crowd chanted "Freedom, freedom, justice – a people, an army," he told BBC radio Focus on Africa.

The demonstrations were originally triggered by a rise in the cost of living, but now call for the resignation of the president, who has been in power for nearly 30 years.

The Sudanese economy has been under pressure since the United States imposed sanctions more than 20 years ago, accusing Khartoum of sponsoring terrorist groups.

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AFP

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Authorities used tear gas to try to disperse protesters

Last December, the Sudanese government announced that the price of gasoline and bread would increase.

In the ensuing year, inflation had risen as the Sudanese pound had rapidly lost value.

The announcement of the price hike triggered protests that resulted in calls for the resignation of President Bashir.

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His reign was marred by charges of human rights violations. In 2009 and 2010, the International Criminal Court (ICC) charged him with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. A warrant for arrest was issued against him.

Who are the protesters?

The Sudanese Professionals Association (ASP) – a collaboration of health workers and lawyers – organized the protests.

Doctors have become a leading force and are therefore targeted by the authorities.

It is estimated that two-thirds of the protesters are women who say they protest against Sudan's badist and patriarchal society.

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Legend of the mediaSudan protests: "No fight will stop us"

How did the president respond?

In February, he seemed to want to yield to protests and withdraw, but Mr Bashir declared the state of national emergency.

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Reuters

Legend

President Bashir addressed the National Dialogue Committee in his palace on April 5

In the streets, security was heavy, with tear gas used indiscriminately and reports of mundane violence.

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Legend of the mediaProtests in Sudan: people flee gunfire during a deadly demonstration

The Sudanese authorities have been accused of arresting prominent activists and targeting doctors, which the National Intelligence Service has denied.

According to the authorities, 32 people have already died in acts of violence related to the protests, but according to Human Rights Watch, this figure seems more to 51.

The pressure group Doctors for Human Rights claims to have evidence of the murder, persecution and torture of peaceful protesters and medical personnel who take care of them.

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