Today, Sunday, Sudanese security forces fired tear gas and sound bombs to disperse demonstrators who were on their way to the presidential palace in Khartoum, as part of demonstrations in the capital and other states to demand civilian rule under the slogan “The January 9 Millions”, while political positions were divided over an initiative it presented. The United Nations to solve the crisis in the country.
The demonstrators responded by firing tear gas at them by throwing stones at the security forces, and returning tear gas canisters to them, which led to cases of hit-and-run between the two sides in the main and secondary streets, according to the Anatolia correspondent.
The demonstrators – who were carrying national flags – went out in the three cities of the capital: Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman, in addition to: Port Sudan (east) and Shendi (north), chanting slogans against “military rule” and demanding the return of democratic civilian rule.
The demonstrators also raised banners saying: A complete civil state, the revolution is a people’s revolution, the authority is the authority of the people, the military is for the barracks, the people are stronger and apostasy is impossible, freedom, peace, justice, no negotiation, no partnership, no bargaining, and yes to democratic civil rule.
Doctors and health personnel also demonstrated in the streets of Khartoum, and handed a note to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sudan, denouncing the security forces’ storming of hospitals and the arrest of medical personnel.
The security forces had preempted the demonstrations by imposing strict security measures, as they closed 4 bridges linking the entrance to the Sudanese capital to the cities of Khartoum North and Omdurman.
It also closed the perimeter of the army headquarters and the entrances to the airport. These developments coincide with an internal debate over the initiative of the United Nations envoy to resolve the political crisis in Sudan.
These protests come a day after the United Nations Mission in Sudan announced the launch of preliminary consultations for a comprehensive political process between the Sudanese parties to resolve the country’s crisis.
international initiative
On the other hand, the positions of the Sudanese political forces on the UN initiative are divided, as the Sudanese Professionals Association and the Communist Party announced their rejection of the dialogue initiative launched by the United Nations, while other Sudanese forces and the Sovereignty Council welcomed it.
The Association of Professionals said – in a statement, today, Sunday – that it adheres to its declared loyalties by the revolutionary forces against the army: “No negotiation, no partnership, no legitimacy”, even reaching a purely civilian authority that allows the dismantling of totalitarianism, according to the statement.
The Professionals Association, which played a major role in the protests that ousted the ousted President Omar al-Bashir, criticized the movements of the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Sudan, Volker Peretz, describing these moves as controversial and contrary to the tasks assigned to the mission he leads.
In turn, the Communist Party also announced its rejection of the international initiative. A member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Kamal Karrar, said that there is no dialogue in light of what he called the coup authorities in Sudan, and that dialogue with this current government is completely rejected.
On the other hand, the Popular Congress Party welcomed the international initiative, and the political secretary of the party, Kamal Omar, called on the various political components in Sudan to cooperate effectively to overcome the crises.
A spokesman for the Central Council of the Forces of Freedom and Change, Wajdi Saleh, said that the forces of freedom and change had not received any details regarding the UN initiative, adding that they would study the initiative as soon as it was officially received, and would announce its position at the time.
As for the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, it welcomed the UN initiative represented in the adoption by the United Nations of a formal dialogue between the various Sudanese components and international partners, to reach an agreement to end the current crisis.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera, a member of the Sovereign Council, Hadi Idris, said that Sudan is at a crossroads that requires international intervention, expressing his hope that the UN initiative will make real progress in resolving the political crisis.
And the head of the UN mission announced – yesterday, Saturday, in a statement – that his organization will launch a new political process with the aim of “restoring the path of transformation that achieves the aspirations of the Sudanese people,” explaining that the United Nations will invite to participate in the dialogue initiative all major stakeholders, civilians and military, including Armed movements, political parties, civil society, women’s groups and resistance committees.
External feedback
In the context of international reactions to the United Nations Mission in Sudan’s announcement of an initiative to facilitate discussions to resolve the political crisis in the country, the Quartet – which includes Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Britain and the United States – welcomed the United Nations initiative, and called on all Sudanese political parties to seize the opportunity to restore the democratic transition, in line with With the constitutional declaration.
The Quartet expressed its hope that the political process under the auspices of the United Nations would lead to democratic elections, in line with the aspirations of the Sudanese people.
The State of Qatar also welcomed the United Nations’ announcement of the launch of preliminary consultations for a comprehensive political process in Sudan, paving the way for reaching a consensual formula that represents all Sudanese sects.
Since last October 25, Sudan has witnessed protests in response to exceptional measures, most notably the imposition of a state of emergency, the dissolution of the Sovereignty Councils and the transitional ministers, the dismissal of Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, and the arrest of officials and politicians.
On November 21, the head of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and Hamdok signed a political agreement that included the latter’s return to his position, the formation of a government of competencies, and the release of political detainees, but the agreement was opposed by the protesters.
On January 2, Hamdok resigned from his position, hours after 3 people were killed during demonstrations in the country.