KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades at protesters who rallied against Sudan’s military rulers, as diplomatic moves to broker a political solution to a post-coup crisis showed little sign of progress.
Thousands marched towards the presidential palace in Khartoum on Thursday amid high temperatures and a heavy security presence, in the first major demonstration since the fasting month of Ramadan and the biggest turnout for several weeks.
Crowds in the capital – and others filmed in other cities on social media – could be heard chanting “Kill us, we’re not afraid,” and “The people’s government is civilian.”
Sudan has been in political flux since months of mass demonstrations pushed the military into overthrowing former president Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.
After more rallies, the army agreed to share power with civilian groups, but then took over again in a coup in October 2021.
Since then, civilian parties including resistance committees organizing the protests, have rejected negotiation with the military. Military leaders have looked to factions that were close to Bashir to try to build a political base.
Talks organized by the United Nations and the African Union that were expected to launch this week have stumbled, amid heavy criticism from parts of the military and civil society.