This archive report was first published on 14 July 2019.
On Saturday, tens of thousands of Sudanese citizens demonstrated in cities across the country to mark 40 days since security forces killed dozens in a crackdown on a protest camp in the capital, Khartoum.
The demonstrations were the first since the ruling military council and civilian opposition agreed in principle to a power-sharing arrangement ahead of elections, although the deal has yet to be finalized and signed.
A meeting between the two sides planned for Saturday was postponed to Sunday, a leader of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition told Reuters. However, the military council denied the meeting was being delayed.
“Saturday’s session will discuss the constitutional document as determined by the mediation,” state news agency SUNA said, citing the council.
Security forces used barbed wire to block a main road leading to the Defence Ministry compound, the site of the protest camp crushed by security forces in June, a Reuters witness said.
At least 128 people were killed during the raid and in the two weeks that followed, according to doctors linked to the opposition. The government confirmed at least 61 deaths.
Across the Blue Nile, hundreds protested in the neighbourhoods of Shambat and al-Mazad in Khartoum North. In Khartoum’s twin city of Omdurman, hundreds demonstrated on al-Arbaeen Street, a major artery.
