This archive report was first published on 1 July 2019.
Published on July 1, 2019, Sudan's protest leaders blamed ruling generals for deadly new violence as three blood-stained bodies were found a day after the first mass rallies since a June crackdown on demonstrators.
Mass rallies were held in Khartoum, Omdurman, and other towns and cities, with tens of thousands demanding a civilian government. The protests have been ongoing since December, calling for the departure of generals who seized power following the April ouster of long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir.
State media reported that seven people were killed, while medics linked to the protest movement said five protesters had been killed. The violence occurred despite a massive turnout of men and women, chanting slogans demanding 'civilian rule', flooding the streets.
Security forces deployed en masse in key Khartoum squares, firing tear gas in several places, including at protesters attempting to reach the capital's residential palace. The official SUNA news agency quoted a health ministry official saying seven people were killed, without giving further details.
Protest leaders blamed the generals for Sunday's bloodshed, with prominent protest leader Mohamed Naji al-Assam saying, 'The military council is completely responsible for these lives lost.' The generals in turn blamed the protest movement, the Alliance for Freedom and Change, for Sunday's violence.
