Thousands rally in Sudan's capital to demand civilian rule
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Sudan's capital of Khartoum demanding a fully civilian government
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Sudan’s capital Khartoum demanding a fully civilian government. The relationship between military generals and Sudanese pro-democracy groups has deteriorated in recent weeks over the country’s future.
Sudan has been ruled by an interim civilian-military government since 2019. The military ousted longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir in April that year, following four months of mass protests against his rule. With al-Bashir toppled, the ruling generals agreed to share power with civilians representing the protest movement.
The aftermath has been volatile. Thursday's rallies come after a rival group rallied in support of the military leaders.
“Let's mark with our protests a new wave of popular uprising that will pave the way for a fully civilian and democratic rule,” read a statement by the Sudanese Professionals' Association, which called for large rallies nationwide on Thursday. The group spearheaded the uprising that kicked off in December 2018 and culminated in al-Bashir’s ouster.
Thousands of men and women marched in the capital Thursday waving the Sudanese flag and chanting: "We are free! We are revolutionaries! We will carry on with our journey!”
Tensions between the civilians and generals in the transitional government have increased since Sudan’s interim authorities said they foiled a coup attempt within the military last month. Officials blamed al-Bashir loyalists for the move. The announcement also aroused fears among civilians that the military may eventually hijack the country's transition to a civilian democratic rule.
Military leaders have also signaled a change in direction. Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of the ruling Sovereign Council, said that dissolving the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok could resolve the ongoing political crisis. Hamdok responded last week by addressing the public in a televised speech where he laid out a series of measures that he said would help speed the handover to a completely elected and civilian government. They included repeated exhortations for groups of differing opinions to work together, and for the country’s transitional constitution and judicial bodies to be respected.
Thursday’s rallies come days after a rival protest in support of the ruling generals.
On Saturday, thousands of Sudanese took to the streets of Khartoum to demand the dismantling of Hamdok's government and the establishment of military rule. Since then, hundreds of them have been camping outside the Republican Palace, the seat of the Sovereign Council.
In a tweet on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on the Sudanese to exercise their right to assembly peacefully and without violence.
Thursday's rallies also coincide with the 57th anniversary with the Sudanese uprising that ended the military rule of Gen. Ibrahim Abboud in 1964 and paved the way for a constitutional government.