Asmaa Al-Husseini (Cairo, Khartoum)
Sudan witnessed calls for calm following calls to demonstrate today, by supporters of civilian rule on the one hand, and supporters of military rule, who have been camping for five days near the Republican Palace to demand the dissolution of the current government on the other. The calls to demonstrate raised fear of security tensions.
Amid a state of anticipation and caution and strict security and health measures, demonstrations are launched today in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and other states, called by the forces of freedom and change to support the Sudanese government, on the anniversary of the October 21, 1964 uprising that overthrew the rule of former Sudanese President Ibrahim Abboud.
The demonstrations demand the handing over of the presidency of the Sovereign Council to civilians, the formation of the Legislative Council, the implementation of security arrangements, the integration of the Rapid Support Forces and armed movement fighters into the army, and the continuation of the dismantling of the isolated former regime.
Meanwhile, supporters of the National Accord Group splintered from the Forces of Freedom and Change continue their sit-in, for the sixth day, in front of the presidential palace in Khartoum.
This comes amid deep fears of a clash between the two parties, and Lieutenant-General Ezz El-Din El-Sheikh announced a plan of tight arrangements for the Ministry of Interior to secure and protect today’s demonstrations in Khartoum and the states.
The Sudanese Ministry of Health also directed the Sudanese to take precautions during today’s demonstrations, and specified an emergency number and specific hospitals for health interventions.
In a statement, 46 trade union and professional entities and coordination committees of the resistance announced their demand to transfer the investigation committee into the sit-in dispersal in front of the General Command on June 3, 2019 to an international committee. The statement also called for the holding of constitutional positions in the government to be held accountable for politically exploiting them for the interests of their groups. The statement named the governor of Darfur, the Minister of Finance and the director of the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company.
Yasser Arman, political advisor to the Sudanese Prime Minister, said that no one can turn against the revolution in Sudan, and that the government will not be dissolved except with the will of the people.
Meanwhile, the US embassy wrote on its Facebook page: We encourage peaceful demonstrators, and remind them of the American support for the forces of democratic transition in Sudan to achieve freedom, peace and justice, and we encourage civilian and military leaders to work together in partnership and overcome differences.
On the other hand, Yasser Abbas, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, and head of the committee in charge of continuing efforts to reach understandings to address the crisis in eastern Sudan, confirmed that the committee is in contact with the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Beja Opticals Muhammad Al-Amin Turk, who welcomed the committee and the positive messages that came in the prime minister’s speech. Abdullah Hamdouk, which included the foundations of addressing the socio-economic and political roots of resolving the issue of Eastern Sudan.
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