Sudan Protesters Demand Military Coup as Crisis Deepens
Demonstrators took to the streets of Khartoum on Saturday and Sunday to call on the army to take control of the country, media reports say.
The protesters rallying in Khartoum are demanding the dissolution of Sudan’s post-dictatorship interim government, saying it has “failed” them politically and economically.
“The sit-in continues, we will not leave until the government is dismissed,” Ali Askouri, one of the organizers, told AFP.
Military and civilian groups have been sharing power since the toppling of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
However, tensions have grown since a coup attempt attributed to followers of Bashir was foiled in September.
Since then, military leaders have been demanding reforms to the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition, a civilian alliance which led the anti-Bashir protests and formed a key part of the transitional government, reports the BBC.
The armed forces have also called for the replacement of the cabinet.
However, civilian leaders say that the demands are part of a power grab from the armed forces.
On Saturday, pro-military demonstrators chanted “down with the hunger government” and called for General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the armed forces and Sudan’s joint military-civilian Sovereign Council, to instigate a coup and seize control of the country.
“We need a military government, the current government has failed to bring us justice and equality,” one protester told AFP.
Pro-government protesters have also called a rally on Thursday in response to Saturday’s demonstrations, according to the BBC.
Agencies
Featured Image Caption: Protesters in Khartoum [Photo AFP]
