On Thursday, the eleventh large demonstration against the military coup in the country was held. Sudanese security forces fired shots and used tear gas against protesters. Four have been confirmed killed after today’s demonstration.
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On October 25 this year, the military took power in Sudan. Since then, there have been many demonstrations and riots in the country, of which eleven large, of which a total of 52 have been confirmed killed. Many are injured.
New demonstrations were announced on Thursday for democracy and courage the army that seized power in October.
According to NTB, thousands of Sudanese have taken to the streets. Prior to the demonstrations, it was announced internettproblemer in the country. Country director for Norwegian Church Aid in Sudan, Berte Marie Ulveseter talks to VG at 9 pm on Thursday night. Then she got back internet and mobile coverage about an hour ago. She is in the capital Khartoum.
– It is a confusing situation, we have stayed at home, roads are closed and it has been impossible to go out. I am now trying to get in touch with my colleagues to hear how they are doing.
–– Many are injured and killed
Norwegian Church Aid has 155 employees in Sudan. Most of them local.
– The security situation here is uncertain, many are disappointed and those they do not want to give up. They will continue indefinitely. There are demonstrations all the time, but it is the big ones, such as today, where people are injured and killed, Ulveseter says.
It has been difficult for Ulveseter to get information, and she is careful with what she says to VG with regard to her own and colleagues’ safety.
– It is said that the security forces have been told that they can use unlimited force. The ambulances must have problems getting there and the injured have been taken to unknown places. But there is unconfirmed information.
– The security forces shoot with sharp shots and have snipers, so it is clear many are injured and killed, she says.
–Took power in coup
In 2019, the country became then dictator, Omar al-Bashir, deposed as a result of protests against him and the regime. In August of the same year, Abdalla Hamdok was installed as the country’s prime minister.
The military seized power on October 25 this year, arresting Hamdok. On November 21, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was reinstated after agreeing to a political agreement with General Burhan.
– It was in the cards that Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok should create a new technocratic government, Professor Emeritus, Gunnar M. Sørbø, at the Chr. Michelsen Institute explains to VG.
Sørbø has been researching Sudan for a number of years and sees the country as his second home.
A technocratic government means that none of the members of the government are politicians, but experts in their fields. This solution should be Sudan’s gradual path to democracy, but it has not been easy.
– This government should sit until the election next year, but Hamdok has clearly not received any support. When he has asked talented people to sit in government, they have refused so he has not managed to form a government for many weeks now, the Sudan expert explains.
–Fear democracy smokes
Sørbø says the demonstrators want a democratic development with political parties and free elections, and not least to stop a very corrupt regime where the military controls very large parts of the economy.
– The demonstrators believe that the chance for democracy is killed if the military is allowed to retain power. They have fought for a democratic transition in Sudan, and Sudan has been independent since 1956, but most of these years Sudan has been ruled by the military, he says.
Sørbø explains to VG that it is difficult to know exactly what is happening in the country now, but that it does not look positive for the country’s democratic future.
– We do not really know what the situation for the internet has been down and there is little information coming out, but it is not something very positive what is happening in Sudan right now. It looks like the military is tightening its grip and suffocating the revolution.
“The revolution continues”
The Sudanese expert says the military is doing everything they can to prevent the protesters from succeeding. Among other things, to create internet problems.
– The coup leaders make these interventions to prevent people from having contact with each other and communicating to gather. So it is not primarily aimed at us who are in other countries and want contact with Sudan, but to stop the opportunities for communication internally.
NTB writes that Thursday’s protesters shouted “The revolution continues” while beating drums and waving flags. The protesters are said to have been a few hundred meters away from the presidential palace when forces from the military, police and paramilitary groups attacked the crowd.
Sørbø thinks they tried to occupy the palace.
– The best they will be able to achieve then is to get stuck there in the form of a “sit in”. This is how the revolution succeeded in 2019, that they got stuck for several days in such a “sit in”, but they are clearly stopped from doing it with tear gas and violence, he says.
The Sudanese expert believes the protesters are sacrificing a lot.
– It is shot from time to time to kill, so there are protesters who risk a lot. Nevertheless, it is clear that they do not intend to give up. For now, it probably looks so dark, but all good forces hope that there will be some kind of compromise, but I do not know if it will work.
One who was close to the demonstration posted this video on Twitter:
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