Sudan – Repression of anti-coup protesters and the international community condemns the violence

The Sudanese street, Friday, continued its escalation as thousands again took to the streets calling for civil rule; International criticism of the excessive use of force by the authorities grew, with 10 people killed in Thursday’s protests, in which thousands took part, in more than 30 cities.

For the second day in a row, the central Khartoum region, which includes the presidential palace, a number of ministries and main markets, looked like a military barracks. On Friday, security forces, armored vehicles, and police and army vehicles were deployed heavily; Thousands of people gathered in the south, east, north and west of the capital in demonstrations that started early in the morning and resumed after Friday prayers.

Protesters raised banners demanding civil rule, the removal of the military from political affairs, and holding accountable those who killed protestors during protests that erupted in rejection of the measures taken by the army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on 25 October 2012, who has so far numbered 112, according to the Central Doctors Committee.

Statements by the US, UK and UNMIS decried the way Sudan’s security services responded to the protesters, demanding that they immediately stop the deadly violence against protesters and investigate all violations that have taken place over the past eight months.

Senior members of the Foreign Relations Committee in the US Congress have demanded that the Sudanese army return to its barracks and hand over power to civilians; they urged the US administration and the international community to impose individual sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations and corruption.

A joint statement issued by Republican and Democratic members of the committee emphasized the need to respect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful demonstrations.