Sudanese Protests Turn Deadly

This weekend saw more protests and more deaths in Sudan as tens of thousands of civilians took to the streets calling for democracy and an end to military rule.

During the protests several people were shot and killed. According to the head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the fatal shots were fired by snipers who targeted both RSF personnel and civilians. Dagalo accused the snipers of seeking to jeopardize progress.

The RSF has been accused of fatally wounding scores of protestors in recent weeks, including during a sit-in on June 3rd when activists claim more than 100 were killed at the hands of the security forces.

Reports from this weekend’s protests suggest that the military used both tear gas and were seen firing shots in the air.

Protestors and opposition are seeking to put pressure on the Transitional Military Council (TMC) to handover power to a civilian-led administration that can oversee the process of preparing for elections. Negotiations between the parties have largely broken down following the events of June 3rd.  However, a plan proposed by mediators the African Union (AU) and Ethiopia tabled last week has received the backing of the TMC, which indicated it was ready to resume talks. Under the plan a sovereign council, composed of seven civilian, seven military and one independent member, would assume responsibility for the transition.