KHARTOUM, April 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan’s police have ordered officers not to intervene against thousands of protesters who have demonstrated outside the army HQ in the capital, Khartoum, since Friday.
The protesters demand the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir.
Earlier, heavy gunfire was heard outside the HQ and there were reports soldiers protecting protesters had shot at government security agents.
The US, UK and Norway have called on Sudan to plan a political transition.
A spokesman said in a statement that police had “ordered all forces” not to “intervene against the citizens or peaceful rallies”.
“We call on God to preserve the security and calm of our country… and to unite the Sudanese people… for an agreement which would support the peaceful transition of power,” the statement said.
Previous attempts to break up the crowds have led to reports of soldiers intervening to protect protesters from National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) agents.
At least two soldiers are reported to have died since the demonstrations outside the HQ began.
The country’s interior minister said that seven protesters had been killed and 15 injured, while 42 members of the security forces had been injured. He added that almost 2,500 people had been arrested.
The so-called troika on Sudan made up of the US, UK and Norway has urged the government to respond to the demonstrators’ demands in a “serious and credible” way.
“Failing to do so risks causing greater instability. The Sudanese leadership has a grave responsibility to avoid such an outcome,” it said in a statement.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged all parties to “exercise utmost restraint and avoid violence”.
Protests against Bashir, who has governed Sudan since 1989, have been under way for several months.
They were originally sparked by a rise in the cost of living, but demonstrators are now calling for the president to resign and his government to go
The protesters want the armed forces to withdraw their support for the government. Representatives of the protesters say they are seeking talks with the army regarding the formation of a transitional government. — NNN-AGENCIES
