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Sudanese protesters camped outside the army headquarters in Khartoum for three days, urging the army to support calls for the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir. By STRINGER (AFP)
Sudanese security forces on Tuesday threw tear gas at thousands of anti-government protesters who were demonstrating for the third night in front of the army's headquarters in Khartoum, witnesses said.
Protesters and witnesses also heard gunshots, but said they did not know who was firing.
Thousands of protesters have been mbading at the military complex since Saturday, urging the military to support them in their demand for the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir and the formation of a transitional government.
This is the biggest rally since the protests erupted in the North East African country in December, following a rise in the price of bread, before turning into mbad protests. against the 30-year-old Bashir regime.
"Security guards are firing big teargas, I can see protesters coughing and covering their faces with hands and medical masks," an AFP witness said near the site. demonstration on Tuesday morning.
"I can also hear gunshots, but we do not know who is shooting."
Map of Khartoum locating the Army Headquarters, Army Road and Omdurman. By Vincent LEFAI (AFP) A protester at the compound also confirmed that he heard gunshots, but he did not know who shot.
An AFP correspondent, located about five kilometers from the protest site, heard gunshots fired for about four minutes.
Protesters called on the army to protect them from deadly repression after several days of encampment outside the headquarters in Khartoum, where Bashir's residence and the Ministry of Defense are also located.
"When the army is here, we will have no fear," protesters chanted as military vehicles were deployed and soldiers were deployed around the complex, spectators said.
According to officials, 38 people have died in demonstrations of violence since December.
Interior Minister Bushara Juma said seven protesters were dead and 15 wounded on Saturday when the security forces tried to disperse them, as well as 42 members of the security forces. In all, 2,496 demonstrators were arrested.
Defense Minister General Awad Ibnouf pledged to preserve the security and stability of Sudan.
"The Sudanese armed forces understand the reasons for the demonstrations and do not oppose the demands and aspirations of the citizens, but will not allow the country to sink into chaos," Ibnouf said, according to the agency. SUNA official press.
"History will not forgive if the armed forces let the country lose its security."
In a separate statement, the army chief of staff, Kamal Abdelmarouf, said that the army was discharging its responsibility for protecting and protecting the citizens "with other security forces.
"The popular alternative"
The group that led the protests on Monday called the army for talks on forming a transitional government.
"We call on the Sudanese Armed Forces to speak directly to the Alliance for Freedom and Change in order to facilitate the peaceful process of forming a transitional government," said Omar el-Digeir, a spokesman for the government. one of the main members of the group.
The leaders of the Sudanese demonstration called on the army to protect protesters demanding the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir. By STRINGER (AFP) Digeir added that the organizers of the protest had also formed a council to begin talks with the security forces and the international community with a view to achieving a "transitional government representing the wish for revolution."
"We reiterate our people's demand that the regime's leader and his government must resign immediately," said Digeir.
Re-reading a statement, he also called on the armed forces to "withdraw their support for a regime that has lost its legitimacy" and "the people's alternative to the transition to civilian and democratic governance".
Since protests erupted in Sudan in December, agents of the powerful National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and riot police have cracked down on protesters, but the army has not intervened. .
Economic mismanagement
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has been hit by the protests since last December's decision to triple the cost of bread. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP) Some militants on the ground accused the army of firing on Monday, but this could not be confirmed independently.
The rally in front of the headquarters of the army is the largest since the beginning of the demonstrations on December 19 in Atbara, in the city center, and has spread rapidly to the capital and to the towns and villages of the country. from East Africa.
The European Union said that an "unprecedented" number of people had come to claim a change since Saturday.
"The Sudanese people have shown remarkable resilience to extraordinary obstacles over the years," said the European Service for External Action.
"Their trust must be won by concrete actions of the government."
The protesters blame the Bashir administration for being responsible for poor economic management that has resulted in soaring food prices and regular shortages of fuel and currency.
The Sudanese security council said Sunday that protesters' demands "must be heard" after a meeting chaired by the veteran leader.
Bashir, wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for alleged war crimes and genocide in the war-torn Darfur region, was brought to power by a 1989 Islamist-backed coup d'etat.
He remained provocative, introducing harsh measures that arrested protesters, opposition leaders, activists and journalists.
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