The European Union called on Friday for independent investigations into the deaths and violence during recent demonstrations in Sudan, as well as for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
The Union Mission to Sudan said on its Facebook account that the European Union reiterates the need to conduct independent investigations into all deaths and related acts of violence, and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
It stressed the need to stop the attacks on hospitals and journalists and the interruption of communications throughout Sudan, and there was no immediate comment from the Sudanese authorities on the statements of the European mission.
Thursday demonstrations
The Central Doctors Committee (non-governmental) announced that the death toll from the demonstrations – which took place yesterday, demanding civilian rule and the exclusion of the military from the political scene – has risen to 3 in the Moroccan suburb of Dar al-Salaam, east of Khartoum, and in Omdurman.
The committee said, in its report today, that the total number of injuries in the demonstrations reached 239, including 7 with live bullets. At the time, a medical source told Al Jazeera that more than 20 people were injured after security dispersed demonstrations on Al-Arbaeen Street in Omdurman.
In a repeated move, the internet and cellular communications were cut off in Khartoum hours before the start of Thursday’s demonstrations, according to citizens’ testimonies.
For its part, the police said that a convoy of a joint force came under fire from the roof of a building under construction during Thursday’s demonstrations, and confirmed in a statement the arrest of 3 accused and the opening of complaints against them for the killing of protesters in Omdurman.
According to the statement, 50 policemen and 4 armed forces personnel were injured, including a serious head injury, in addition to the destruction of 11 police vehicles.
The police statement stated that 60 defendants were arrested during the demonstrations that included the capital and several states, and legal measures were taken against them.
Dialog support
In a related context, Ambassador Molly, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, affirmed her country’s readiness to support a Sudanese-led dialogue with UN assistance.
And Mawly stressed – in contact with a member of the Sudanese Sovereign Council Shams Al-Din Al-Kabbashi – to reach a national consensus that does not exclude anyone and guarantees the participation of women and youth.
For its part, the Sovereignty Council made it clear in a statement that Mauli confirmed her country’s support for holding fair Sudanese elections at the end of the transitional period, and this was also confirmed by Al-Kabbashi, according to the statement, adding that the two sides agreed to conduct a “transparent” investigation into the abuses that accompanied the demonstrations.
In turn, the German Foreign Ministry affirmed that its commitment to Sudan depends on the continuation of the agreed-upon democratic transition process and a civilian-led government.
The German Foreign Ministry called on the political leaders in Sudan to sit together and work for a civilian-led government to meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people.
The protests have been repeated since last October 25, in response to exceptional measures taken by the army, 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.
Hamdok submitted his resignation on January 2, hours after 3 people were killed during demonstrations in the country.
