Sudan rally organisers urge Khartoum residents to throng protest site

Apr 11, 2019

"We call on our people from across the Khartoum capital and the region around to immediately go to the sit-in area and not leave from there until our next statement...

Sudanese protesters sit atop a military vehicle next to soldiers near the capital Khartoum's military headquarters (Photo by AFP)
 
Organisers of nationwide protests against Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir called on Khartoum residents Thursday to mass at army headquarters as state media said the army would make an "important statement".
 
"We call on our people from across the Khartoum capital and the region around to immediately go to the sit-in area and not leave from there until our next statement is issued," the Sudanese Professionals Association said.
 
A sit-in outside army headquarters, which also houses Bashir's residence, entered its sixth day on Thursday with protesters gathered in what the European Union has described as "an unprecedented number." 
 
- Emergency rule declared -
Western powers on January 17 call on Sudan to respect the rights of demonstrators. 
 
On February 11, Human Rights Watch releases videos documenting violence by security forces against protesters including live fire, tear gas and beatings.
 
Ten days later, security agents arrest several opposition activists as protesters try to march on the presidential palace.
 
Bashir declares a nationwide year-long state of emergency on February 22, also dissolving the federal and provincial governments and appointing army and intelligence officers as provincial governors.
 
Two days later, he swears in a new prime minister as riot police confront hundreds calling for him to resign.
 
On March 1, Bashir hands his powers as chief of the ruling NCP to his deputy.
 
- Six-day sit-in at army HQ -
The protests become less regular after the state of emergency and Bashir on April 4 acknowledges that demonstrators had "legitimate" economic concerns, calling for dialogue.
 
But on April 6, thousands march again in Khartoum, gathering for the first time outside the military headquarters and chanting "One Army, One People".

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