Mass Protests Across Sudan Against Coup D'etat
Millions of people took to the streets across the globe and Sudan on Saturday, October 30th in the largest pro-democracy protest yet since the authoritarian military coup d'etat against the Sudanese transitional government.
At least three protesters were killed and many more were injured by live rounds as coup militants opened fire on protestors in several locations on October 30th. The three victims killed were in Khartoum, Omdurman, and al-Qadarif. The overall number of people killed by coup d'etat militants since the coup is currently at 12, according to the Sudan Doctors Committee and human rights defenders. More than 280 people have been wounded so far. Troops have fired live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas at and they beat pro-democracy protesters with sticks.
Mass protests were called and organized by the Sudanese Professionals' Association and Resistance Committees. Both led the toppling for dictator al-Bashir and his authoritarian Islamist government in 2019. They are now calling for the removal of authoritarian militant groups and a complete restructuring of the military, intelligence, and security agencies. Since the military takeover, there have been daily street protests.
Monday's coup d'etat threatens to hinder Sudan's hard-worked transition to democracy, which began after the 2019 removal of the dictator and criminal Omar al-Bashir. Since then, the military and civilian leaders have attempted to co-lead the government. Pro-democracy groups called for mass protests in both Sudan and worldwide on Saturday, demanding the reinstatement of the deposed transitional government and the release of senior political figures.
The United States and the United Nations have publicly stated their 'concern' with the situation and 'warned' the coup d'etat leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and called for restraint. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan claims that the transition to 'democracy' would continue despite the authoritarian military takeover. Millions across Sudan doubt al-Burhan's claims and call for a return to the transitional government and democracy. The UN has also set up a transition mission for Sudan that is facilitating dialogue between the top coup d'etat generals and the ousted civilian leaders. An UN-supported national committee began separate meetings with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and Burhan to negotiate a peaceful resolution. Meanwhile, the UN said it is closely monitoring the coup forces' response to protests. According to Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, the UN special rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. "They will be held individually accountable for any excessive use of force against protesters,"
