Sudan: Protesters gather to rally in Khartoum a year on from crackdown June 3

Event

On Wednesday, June 3, thousands of people gathered in Khartoum to demand justice for over a hundred demonstrators who were killed a year ago in a violent crackdown on protests. The demonstrators burned tires and blocked roads in the capital as they called for members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to be held accountable for the killings. They also criticized the lack of action taken by the committee set up by Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok in September 2019 to investigate the incident. Other protests were reported in other towns and cities across Sudan on Wednesday.

Further demonstrations are possible over the near term.

Context

Opposition protests broke out on December 19, 2018, as hundreds of protesters gathered in major urban centers - notably in Atbara (Nile River state), Al-Qadarif (Al-Qadarif state), Port Sudan (Red Sea state), and Khartoum - initially to demand increased government transparency and the implementation of anti-inflation measures; their demands since broadened to demand that former President Omar al-Bashir, in power since 1989, step down.

Following months of protests, President Omar al-Bashir was removed from office on April 11, 2019, in a military coup. The military dissolved the government and formed the Transitional Military Council (TMC). Protests continued over when and how the military should hand over control to civilian rule. On June 3, 2019, at least 128 protesters were killed in a violent crackdown on sit-in protests outside the military headquarters in Khartoum. On August 20, the ruling TMC and civilian opposition leaders announced the formation of a sovereign council aimed at governing the country during the transition to civilian rule. It is expected to remain in place for three years and three months before democratic elections are held in the country.

Advice

Individuals in Khartoum are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate localized transportation disruptions, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.