13 Sep 2019 | 08:29 AM UTC
Sudan: Demonstration in Khartoum September 12; further likely /update 1
Protest in Khartoum on September 12 to demand an independent judiciary; further protests likely
Event
Thousands of protesters gathered outside the presidential palace in Khartoum on Thursday, September 12, to demand the formation of an independent judiciary and justice for protesters killed since December 2018. Police forces eventually fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Further protests are likely in the coming days. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are expected around any demonstration site.
Context
Protest groups are calling for the recently formed sovereign council to establish an independent judiciary. Civilian opposition leaders and the former-ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) created the transitional sovereign council on August 20 as part of a power-sharing deal. The TMC came to power after removing President Omar al-Bashir from office on April 11 following months of protests. A sit-in demonstration was held in Khartoum until June 3 to demand increased civilian participation in negotiations, when it was violently dispersed by security forces.
Advice
Individuals in Khartoum are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate a heightened security presence, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments, refrain from nonessential movement, and avoid all protests due to the risk of violence.
