At least nine protesters were shot dead by Sudanese security forces amid massive nationwide protests calling for an end to the military’s hold on power, the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors (CCSD) said on Friday. It noted that the total death toll since the October 2021 military coup had risen to 112.
Thousands protest in Sudan as demonstrations against military rule continue https://t.co/nzsGQ1CsjM pic.twitter.com/WRXQV7W6eU
— The National (@TheNationalNews) July 1, 2022
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Khartoum and other Sudanese cities for the ‘March of Millions’ demonstrations to mark the anniversary of the military coup that toppled Sudan’s last elected government in 1989 and heralded Omar al-Bashir’s rise to power. 1989 also marks the year during which the resistance against Bashir took shape.
Protesters demanded a return to civilian rule and called on the international community not to cooperate with the military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah El Burhan. Protesters raised banners reading: “No Negotiations! No Partnership!,” indicating that they will not accept any government the military is a part of.
That’s only one rally fromToday’s demonstrations aboard all Sudan, so far two killed by #sudancoup in Omdurman, & Dozens of injuries from live bullets#June30march#مليونية30يونيو pic.twitter.com/boCDpSnpOc
— Mohamed Mustafa - محمد مصطفى جامع (@Moh_Gamea) June 30, 2022
Security forces responded with excessive force. Radio Dabanga reported that the military fired tear gas and stun grenades against protesters. Some reports accused forces of indiscriminately firing at protesters; organisations like the CCSD confirmed these claims.
Hundreds of protesters were detained and several activists were pre-emptively arrested. Sudanese diaspora and activists organised peaceful protests in the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, and other countries against the junta.
The military also imposed an internet shutdown across the country. London-based freedom of internet advocacy group NetBlocks said that the junta blocked multiple service providers. “The restrictions impact many internet users in Sudan and are likely to significantly limit coverage of events on the ground. This class of disruption cannot be readily circumvented through the use of VPN services,” it stated.
⚠️ Confirmed: Real-time network data show internet access has been disrupted across #Sudan after 8 am local time, leaving users offline amid anti-junta protests and renewed calls for a civilian-led government; incident ongoing #June30March 📵
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) June 30, 2022
📰 Report: https://t.co/NMIh2ROyPI pic.twitter.com/bpIAvxXqwC
“NetBlocks recommends against the use of network disruptions and social media restrictions to counter protests, given their disproportionate impact to fundamental rights including freedom of expression and freedom assembly,” it said in a statement.
The crackdown came after the international community urged the military leadership to exercise restraint while dealing with protesters. The embassies of the United Kingdom, United States, Norway, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea released a joint statement on Wednesday urging the military to respect the “right of the Sudanese people to protest peacefully without fear of violence.”
The civilian-military transitional government was established in 2019 following the ouster of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in a military coup after large-scale protests demanding his removal. Following Bashir’s removal, the military signed a power-sharing agreement with the civilian Forces of Freedom and Change coalition. The transitional government was tasked with dismantling the Bashir-era political and financial framework and easing the path toward democratic transition.
Disturbing reports about repression & killings of protesters in #Sudan marking June 30. Deepfelt condolences to families of the victims. Use of live ammunition & attacks on medical personnel is unacceptable. We continue to call for accountability and justice.
— Ambassador Therese Løken Gheziel 💚❤️🤍🖤 (@NorwayAmbSudan) June 30, 2022
However, in October 2021, Sudan’s military ousted its civilian-led transition government in Khartoum in a coup. Gen. Burhan dissolved the government and declared a state of emergency after arresting Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Burhan said the coup was meant to ensure Sudan’s stability, which was jeopardised due to infighting between the military and civilian parties. Burhan has also vowed to share power with the civilian leadership but his promise has not materialised so far.