Sudan: Security forces disperse protesters in Khartoum North May 13

Event

Sudanese police and Rapid Support Forces dispersed about 100 protesters using tear gas and removed barriers erected on a major road in Khartoum North on Monday, May 13. No casualties were immediately reported.

Protests escalated on Sunday, May 12, around the location of the sit-in at the Sudanese army headquarters, with protesters erecting barriers at the entrance to Al-Mac Nimir Bridge, a main artery of the city, and forcing Nile Street, a major road which leads to the bridge, to close. Closure of the road led to a traffic jam and congestion in central Khartoum.

Additional protests are likely over the coming days and weeks amid a heightened security presence. The risk of associated violence cannot be ruled out.

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. Opposition leaders and the TMC have held negotiations over the composition of the council, although both sides have disagreed on the scope of the military's role in the new government.

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.

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.