A protester was shot dead during the first nationwide anti-coup protests during the fasting month of Ramadan in spite of regional and international calls to end violent repression. Sudanese carried out massive protests across the country to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the collapse of the al-Bashir regime and rejection of military-led government. Security Forces fired tear gas and ammunition to disperse protesters. Al-Tayeb Abdel Wahab was shot dead by security forces in Bahri. Her death brings to 94 the death toll from bloody violence against protests. Unified Office of Sudanese Doctors coalition said police opened fire and used tear gas near East Nile Hosp to prevent wounded protesters from reaching emergency service…assault on Al-Jawdah Hosp where Security Forces fired tear gas inside the hospital. Officials were expecting a decrease in anti-coup protests with the fasting month, but Resistance Comm mobilised thousands. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse protests in Pt Sudan. Central Reserve Forces used excessive force to disperse protesters, 30 people were injured by tear gas canisters and assaulted with batons. Resistance Comm in Khartoum issued alert messages to advise people returning home to avoid areas where security forces are deployed. Sudan Tribune
Fasting protesters defy military rule in massive marches. Despite high temps, tear gas and Ramadan fast, tens of thousand marched in Khartoum and towns across the country marking 3rd anniversary of the fall of al-Bashir and rejecting the power grab by generals. Since then, the military has not appointed a PM, the economy has deteriorated amid a suspension of foreign aid. 2 hospitals that treat protesters were raided. Protesters, most fasting, braved the harsh sun and temps around 107.6F. Some in Omdurman were seen splashing themselves with water from hoses from homes along the protest route. Our friends are martyrs, so we will defeat the soldiers while fasting, we will continue without tiring on the path of freedom and justice, said 23-year-old college student sweating under the sun. While protest in the capital was called for later in the afternoon to accommodate fasting, protests kicked off earlier across the country including El Obeid, Nyala, Genein, Pt Sudan, Kassala, Gadaref, Madani, Kosti, Kadugli. Security Forces and military were deployed on main streets and government installations in the capital, bridges to Omdurman and Bahri were blocked with shipping containers. Tens of thousands marched towards the airport, facing tear gas and stun grenades as they stopped to break their fast. They continued marching after sundown, chanting: We came out despite the heat and despite fasting to regain our civilian government and bring down the coup. They confronted police and tear gas at the border of the airport, barricaded the street. Omdurman Sec Forces including the sanctioned Central Reserve Police could be seen chasing protesters headed towards parliament into side streets. Resistance Comm in Khartoum and Omdurman called on protesters to withdraw as night fell. Reuters
Thousands took to the streets to commemorate the anniversary of mass unrest that led to the toppling of al-Bashir and protest the military’s ongoing grip on power. Rallies were held in Khartoum and outside the capital to mark removal of al-Bashir and express public anger at a military coup that derailed a 2-year transition to civilian rule. The economic situation deteriorated since the military’s power grab, with hyperinflation reaching 250%: We are going out today because we promised our martyrs we will fulfill the civilian state. The civilian state, with its diversity…is what we are looking for. Police fired tear gas at protesters in Khartoum, and military hqs was sealed off by soldiers, razor wire, dozens of military vehicles. In 2019, protesters gathered for months at hqs and it is unclear whether activists will try to stage a new sit-in. Hundreds of protesters were killed in a bloody crackdown by security forces 2019 when a large pro-democracy sit-in was organised against a military council that seized power after deposing al-Bashir. While Resistance Committees are accused by critics of being unrealistic in their demands, members of the activist networks say they believe the military coup must be resisted: We can only continue resisting; whenever they repress us, we just resist. It is whether to die for what you believe in or win. April 6 also marks the day in 1985 when people took to the streets against Nimeiry, forcing him from power. Al Jazeera