The United States, Britain and Norway have unanimously decried the brutal military crackdown on protesters by Sudan’s military rulers killing many citizens. Sudan has been under turmoil since pro-democracy protests led to the ousting veteran President Omar al-Bashir in April, after 30 years of authoritarian rule. Demonstrators were in a sit in protest occupying the square in front of the military headquarters demanding civilian rule . The military council came to an agreement with the activists and agreed for a three-year transition that would culminate in elections.
However on Monday, security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters in the square. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the military council, announced that the agreement was canceled and an election would take place within nine months. However, after bowing to pressure from Saudi Arabia for a resumption of talks, Gen Burhan said that the military council was open for discussions.
According to latest media reports, almost 100 people were reportedly killed as the army unleashed violence against protesters outside its headquarters in the capital, Khartoum. The three powers active in Sudan have called for an “orderly transition” to civilian rule rather than a rushed election imposed by the TMC’s security forces. They urged the Military Council to agree and transfer power to a civilian-led government as demanded by the people of Sudan. Reacting to the military oppression, Sudanese opposition activists have rejected the offer of talks from the country’s military council, saying it cannot be trusted amid a violent crackdown on protesters. On their side, the military council defended the violent suppression, claiming that the protesters had been infiltrated by rogue elements and drug dealers.
