Sudan: massive demonstration in Khartoum against the army, the police fire tear gas
Sudanese are heading towards the presidential palace in Khartoum on December 19, 2021. REUTERS - MOHAMED NURELDIN ABDALLAH
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
Sudanese police fired tear gas canisters in Khartoum on Sunday (December 19th) to disperse tens of thousands of demonstrators who took to the streets to oppose the army, in power since the October 25 military coup.
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With our correspondent in Khartoum,
Eliott Brachet
The situation was chaotic in central Khartoum on Sunday.
Riot police were deployed at major crossroads in the capital, while Sudanese authorities closed all roads surrounding the army headquarters with barbed wire and concrete blocks.
These protests come three years after the start of the revolution in Sudan which overthrew Omar al-Bashir after 30 years of dictatorship.
The police withdrew and the crowd disembarked at the gates of the presidential palace.
"
It is proof that the Sudanese people are stronger," said
one man.
We can bring down this regime as we brought down the one before it.
It is also proof that the repression does not stop us.
It is proof for the whole world.
They must respect the will of the people.
We, the Sudanese, will not let ourselves be governed by anyone who does not represent the will of the people.
"
►
See also: Sudan: the authorities suspend part of the Juba peace agreement
"
No negotiation, no partnership, no compromise with the junta
"
In a few minutes, the forces of repression counter-attack. The air is saturated with tear gas. A woman takes a deep breath in an adjacent street: “
They are killing our children and hitting us
.
Burhane
[general, head of the Sovereign Council, editor's note],
Hemetti
[general, number 2 of the regime],
Kabashi
[general, spokesperson]
are bandits and Hamdok [Prime Minister, civilian] is in their camp. Military power must fall. We want to be ruled by a conscientious personality. We want 100% civilian power. No negotiation, no partnership, no compromise with the junta.
"
Live ammunition whistles in all directions.
The many wounded are evacuated by motorbike.
The crowd retreats, but immediately moves forward.
The demonstrators say it: they are no longer afraid of anything.
►
To read also: Sudan: in the face of the dispute, Abdallah Hamdock sacks and stays the course
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