At least one person was shot dead by Sudanese security forces Saturday in a crackdown on anti-coup protests, after the military cemented its power grab by forming a new ruling council.
The protests came nearly three weeks after general al-Burhan ousted the government and declared a state of emergency.
According to a statement by the Central Committee for Sudanese Doctors, a protestor was killed and others were wounded by “live rounds,” AFP reports.
Tear gas was also reportedly fired at many protests around the country, with security forces attempting to disperse the crowds.
“No, no to military rule”, “Civilian (rule) is the people’s choice”, and “Down with the entire council”, the protesters in southern Khartoum shouted.
Security forces were heavily present in Khartoum, where bridges connecting the capital to neighboring cities were sealed off, AFP correspondents reported.
Authorities also blocked roads leading to the army headquarters.
The United Nations has called on forces to “exercise utmost restraint and respect the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.”
The protests came on the backdrop of the formation of a new ruling council, including military and civilian figures.
The UN has criticised the military’s latest “unilateral” step, while Western countries said it “complicates efforts to put Sudan’s democratic transition back on track”.
But general Burhan insists the military’s takeover “was not a coup” but a push to “rectify the course of the transition” after factional splits under the deposed government deepened.
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