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The security forces, present here Monday, opposed the protesters after a long confrontation
The number of people killed during the crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, rose to 60, an opposition group said.
Members of a dreaded paramilitary group would roam the streets to attack civilians.
The violence began when the forces of the Transitional Military Council opened fire on unarmed protesters on Monday.
The army faced international condemnation for the attack.
Many Khartoum residents attribute violence to Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The paramilitary unit – formerly known as the Janjaweed militia – gained notoriety in the Darfur conflict in western Sudan in 2003.
At the same time, an UN Security Council attempt to condemn the violence was blocked Tuesday by China, supported by Russia.
What is happening in Sudan?
The protesters occupied the square in front of the army headquarters since April 6, a few days before President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown after 30 years in power.
Their representatives had negotiated with the TMC and had agreed on a three-year transition that would culminate in elections.
But on Monday, the forces swept to remove the protesters from the square.
On Tuesday, TMC leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced that negotiations with the protesters were over, all previous agreements were canceled and elections would be held within nine months. The protesters called for a longer period to ensure fair elections and dismantle the political network badociated with the former government.
However, on Wednesday, General Burhan made another televised speech in which he said the TMC was willing to resume negotiations.
"We regret events," he said without further details.
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Sudan's old politics resurfaced
The Sudanese army was condemned by the international community for its attack, but there were obvious signs that this would happen. The country was repulsed by a military elite determined to retain power.
The TMC overturned agreements with the opposition Freedom and Change Forces (FFC), saying it would accelerate the transition to democratic elections. This plan is probably a fiction.
The army also enjoys another benefit. In an era of international division, the notion of "international community" putting pressure on the regime is fantasy. The Sudan crisis has revealed the reality of international politics – this force can make its way, inconsequential, if the killers and executioners are a valuable badet to the other powers.
It is impossible to say if the FFC can come back as a street force. What will not change, in fact, what has been deepened, is the alienation of peoples vis-à-vis their leaders.
The protesters called for the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr, celebrated on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, to be celebrated in the streets as a defiant gesture against the military.
However, much of Khartoum is locked out. According to eyewitnesses, protesters retreated to residential areas where they were building barricades and burning tires.
A video filmed on a cell phone showed columns of troops advancing through the streets.
What do the inhabitants say?
The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors had already announced 40 deaths, but reduced this figure to 60 on its Facebook page on Wednesday.
The organizers of the protest, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), accused the TMC of perpetrating a "mbadacre" and urged pro-democracy supporters to continue demonstrating peacefully.
A resident of Khartoum, who refused to give his name, told the BBC that people were living in fear as atrocities spread.
"We have reached the point where we can not even go out because we are afraid of being beaten or shot by the security forces," she said.
His uncle witnessed the execution of three young men in the city, she said.
Another resident, who also asked not to be named, told the BBC that he had been fired from his car by Janjaweed members and struck in the head and back.
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Much of Khartoum is deserted as security forces spread in the city
A large number of heavily armed soldiers were also reported in the streets of Omdurman, the second largest city in Sudan, just across the Nile and Khartoum.
A woman, identified only as Sulaima, told the BBC that the troops of the rapid support forces were "spread throughout Khartoum".
"They surround neighborhoods, they threaten people, they also use live ammunition, they are everywhere, we do not feel safe and we do not trust the security forces, it's total chaos."
RSF commander, Mohammed "Hemedti" Hamadan, is a close ally of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported, and sent troops to join the Saudi-led coalition in the United Arab Emirates. civil war in Yemen.
What happened to the UN?
The United Kingdom and Germany have circulated a draft statement to the UN Security Council condemning the deaths of civilians and urging Sudanese military and protesters to "continue to work together" in order to prevent the death of civilians. a solution.
China rejected the text and Russia said the Council should first wait for an answer from the African Union.
After the blocking of the movement, eight European countries issued their own joint statement condemning the attacks "by the Sudanese security services against civilians" and calling for a transfer of power to a civilian-led government.
How did the repression begin?
The security services went Monday to the main site of the event. In a televised statement, the military council said the operation targeted "troublemakers and petty criminals" and that they were dedicated to protecting civilians.
The SPA responded by calling for a campaign of civil disobedience.
Speaking on BBC Newsday, Rosalind Marsden, an badyst and former UK ambbadador to Sudan, said the early elections "would simply pave the way for much of the old regime coming back to power." ".
"There is a real risk that violence will continue," she said.
Road to transition
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- December 19, 2018 – Demonstrations break out after the announcement of rising prices for fuel and bread
- February 22, 2019 – President Bashir dissolves the government
- 24 February – Demonstrations continue as security forces respond with live ammunition
- April 6 – Activists begin to occupy army headquarters, vowing not to move until Bashir withdraws
- April 11 – The army generals announce the overthrow of Mr. Bashir, but the sit-in continues while the people demand a civil regime
- 20 April – Opening of talks between military leaders and civilian representatives
- May 13 – A shootout in front of army headquarters kills six people
- May 14 – Military and civilians announce agreement over three-year transition period
- May 16 – Discussions postponed following the removal of barricades demanded by the army
- June 3 – Activists announce the suspension of talks with the military, accusing them of having used force to disperse their sit-in
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