Sudan: Suppression of a demonstration in favor of dismissed soldiers

A Sudanese protester brandishes the national flag during a parade against the forced retirement of several soldiers, in Khartoum, on February 20, 2020. ASHRAF SHAZLY / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

Several civil society organizations, including the Association of Sudanese Professionals, spearhead of the 2019 revolution, had called to protest Thursday against the dismissals deemed abusive of army officers who had taken sides for the challenge against the regime of Omar el-Bashir.

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In Sudan, a figure in the revolution, Mohammad al-Sadiq, was forced to retire, along with 78 other officers and non-commissioned officers. This second lieutenant had made himself known in early April 2019, being the first soldier to join the ranks of the revolutionaries in front of the army headquarters, before the fall of Omar el-Béchir.

To protest the measure, on February 20, to the surprise of many observers, several hundred people took to the streets of downtown Khartoum, not far from the presidency.

The atmosphere quickly became tense, according to a witness. Tear gas canisters were fired to disperse the crowd. The police charged with batons and shots were heard. A first since the start of the transition last year. According to the Sudanese medical workers' union, 19 demonstrators were injured, one of them by live ammunition, another by a rubber bullet.

Repression denounced

The repression was immediately denounced by the Association of Sudanese Professionals, who demanded accountability, including the resignation of the Minister of the Interior appointed by the military and the director of the police.

Even the Forces for Freedom and Change, the civilian component of the transitional government, condemned the repression and asked the Prime Minister to launch an investigation to identify those responsible.

► Read : Sudan: 2020 risks being sown with pitfalls

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  • Sudan
  • Defense

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