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© AFP via Getty ImagesProtesters burn tyres to block a road in the capital Khartoum on Monday, denouncing overnight detentions by the army of members of Sudan’s government
– AFP/Getty
Military coup in Sudan ignites deadly street protests, deals blow to democratic transition
Thousands took to the streets of the capital Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman to protest. Footage shared online showed heavily armed Sudanese army and paramilitary forces fanning out across the city, restricting civilian movements and firing teargas at protesters carrying national flags and burning tyres.
Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who headed the sovereign council that had shared power between the military and civilians formed after the overthrow of long-ruling autocrat Omar al-Bashir in a popular uprising two years ago, said the council had been dissolved
Sudan’s military staged an attempted coup on Monday, with soldiers arresting the prime minister and cabinet members and taking them to undisclosed locations, while declaring a state of emergency.Seven people were shot dead and 140 injured during the ensuing protests, according to a health ministry official quoted by
Tens of thousands of demonstrators in Khartoum were shot at after Sudanese general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had dissolved the country’s transitional government and declared a state of emergency.
Al-Burhan made the announcement in a televised speech, hours after a group of soldiers detained Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok and other government officials.
Earlier, the Sudanese information ministry said Hamdok’s whereabouts were unknown after he was arrested for refusing to support the coup leaders, instead urging people to peacefully “defend the revolution.”