Sudan protesters plan 'earthquake demonstrations'

Sudan’s anti-coup protesters are planning huge rallies, dubbed the “earthquake demonstrations”, to mark Wednesday’s third anniversary of the sit-in outside the military headquarters in the capital that led to Omar al-Bashir being ousted as president five days later.

They hope mass protests in Khartoum will weaken the grip of the military, which seized power in October.

But the authorities appear to be taking measures to restrict the movement of the crowds.

Roads have been blocked near the military headquarters, which now has a 5m- (16ft-) high wall around it that has been built over the last year or so.

Two bridges over the Blue Nile have already been blocked by freight containers to stop traffic.

Several other bridges are expected to be closed on the day. Pro-democracy activists say a telecom and internet blackout is also expected.

In other measures, the authorities have announced the closure of schools on Wednesday - a move aimed at stopping pupils heading off together to protest and keeping parents at home to look after their children.

Local media reports that the riot police, locally known as Abu Tayra and recently sanctioned by the US, have been given cash bonuses to encourage them to manage the protests. Some reports suggest up to 20,000 of them will be deployed.

Since the coup, more than 90 protesters have been killed and more than 4,000 have been injured.rs have been killed and more than 4,000 have been injured.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP