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Ahmed Hamid, a suddenly defiant protester, says nothing can stop him from campaigning for the army to give up power – not even the beginning of fasting next week, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The protesters remain camped in the oppressive heat of Khartoum, demanding a civilian regime three weeks after the military overthrow of veteran leader Omar al-Bashir.
"We have cut off the head and a body part is still there and hold the head of this president," said Friday to AFP Hamid, 21, on the site of the protest.
"We will fast for all Ramadan and even after Ramadan until we respond to our request."
Sudan was shaken by months of national protests that initially targeted Bashir's 30-year regime, accusing the leader and his regime of directing the economy on its soil.
On April 6, thousands of protesters shoving tear gas from security agents surrendered to army headquarters in central Khartoum and set up camp.
Five days later, the military intervened and dismissed Bashir as the crowd's appeals grew for them to intervene and end his reign.
But the 10-member army council that then took power has so far rebuffed street pressures and international appeals to pbad power to a civilian organ.
Protesters mobilize against the council and demand its dissolution.
After several rounds of talks between the generals and protesters, the two sides agreed to form a mixed civilian-military council that will replace the existing military instance.
Despite days of quarrels, they were unable to agree on the composition of the new joint governing body.
Faced with this impbade, protesters from the army complex show no sign of abandonment.
& # 39; Badge of honor & # 39;
On Friday, they performed weekly Muslim prayers at the sit-in under a scorching sun.
"People should not forget the martyrs, we must continue the sit-in because it keeps us united," said one imam, pronouncing his sermon from the top of a mini-truck while a faithful guarded him with an umbrella.
According to officials, at least 65 people have been killed in demonstrations of violence since December.
At the time the Imam spoke, hundreds of demonstrators waving the sign of victory chanted "freedom, peace, justice," the appeal of the protest movement that drove Bashir out.
Several volunteers, including teenagers, sprinkled water from rows of protesters into small cans to give them a break, as the midday heat reached 43 degrees Celsius.
Others offered drinking water to protesters while a pickup truck carrying prayer mats walked the sit-in area.
"There is no doubt that I will stay until the formation of a civilian government," said protester Awad Mohamed Awad, adding that he was in the complex since the overthrow of Bashir.
"I am already here, I am going to fast here for Ramadan," said the lawyer, carrying the Sudanese flag around his shoulders.
"I want a civilian government that meets the demands of everyone."
Protesters say that they already have a plan in place for Ramadan, whether during the fasting hours or nights.
"We have made arrangements for fasting and Iftar (breaking the fast)," said Jaafar Wad al-Reef, a sit-in regular.
"I'm fine for fasting, it's like a badge of honor to show our commitment," he said.
"Fasting near army headquarters in the heat is one of the least things we can do to get what we want."
Protesters like Salaheddine Ibrahim Dafallah say that they can continue for months.
"We stay during Ramadan, after Ramadan and until Eid al-Adha," said an employee of the mining company Dafallah, referring to another Muslim holiday in August.
"If our demands are not met, the sit-in will not be broken."
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