Sudan: Anti-government protests continue in Khartoum April 24 /update 67

Event

Thousands of protesters continue to stage a sit-in demonstration outside the military's General Command building in Khartoum as of Wednesday, April 24, to demand an immediate transfer of power to a civilian government. Hundreds of protesters from Atbara (River Nile state), where protests first broke out in December 2018, arrived in the capital on Tuesday, April 23, to join the ongoing demonstration outside the military headquarters. 

The Sudanese Professional Association (SPA) has also announced a "million man march" in Al-Junaynah (West Darfur state) to take place on Thursday, April 25. The demonstrations are expected to begin at 13:00 (local time). 

Protest marches and sit-ins are expected to continue over the coming days in Khartoum, particularly near the General Command, and across the country. A heightened security presence and localized disruptions are expected.

Context

President Omar al-Bashir was removed from office on April 11 following a military coup led by Defense Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf. Following the formation of the Supreme Security Committee, Ibn Auf announced that the military had dissolved the government, suspended the constitution, and would rule the country for two years in a transitional government - known as the Transitional Military Council (TMC), after which time fresh presidential elections would be held. However, Ibn Auf and his deputy resigned on April 12; Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan was later named the head of the TMC. The military council has stated that the military was ready to work with opposition groups to form a civilian government, though no specific steps have yet been announced.

A three-month state of emergency remains in place and Sudanese border crossings have been closed until further notice. The US State Department issued a notice on April 11 calling for all non-emergency government employees to evacuate from Sudan as a precaution. US diplomatic authorities have also warned US citizens to refrain from all travel to the country until further notice.

Anti-government protests began on December 19, 2018, as hundreds of protesters gathered in major urban centers. Protesters initially demanded increased government transparency and economic reforms but broadened their scope to demand the resignation of President Bashir, who was in power since 1989. 

Advice

Individuals in Sudan, particularly those in Khartoum and the surrounding areas, are advised to closely monitor the situation, refrain from all nonessential travel, remain vigilant of their surroundings and be aware of possible spontaneous protest activities, adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments, and avoid all public gatherings and common demonstration sites due to the risk of violence and arrest.