Sudan junta cuts phones to curb protests

October 30, 2021 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s military junta has cut off the phones in the whole country ahead of mass protests planned on Sunday.

For several days, Sudanese inside the country have been mobilising for nationwide protests against the military takeover calling for the restoration of the civilian-led transitional government.

“Mobile telephones networks have been cut off, no calls nor SMS were possible,” activists told the Sudan Tribune through a satellite cell.

This is an apparent attempt to prevent communication between the protesters and prevent coordination, the activists said.

The military authorities have shut down the internet services after the coup d’état on Monday.

However, several activists said they would use their mobile phones to document the protests and any human rights violations.

On Friday, the British Ambassador to Khartoum Giles Lever released a video message to condemn the military coup against the civilian-led government and called to respect Sudanese right to demonstrate peacefully.

Also, the U.S. embassy to Khartoum called on the Sudanese military rulers ” to ensure citizens are allowed to safely and peacefully exercise their right to free speech and assembly”.

Sudanese outside the country called to demonstrate on Saturday to support the restoration of the transitional government.

According to the prodemocracy Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors on Friday, another protester died following a gunshot on 26th October in Khartoum.

“This brings the number of martyrs confirmed through the committee’s channels to 7 martyrs,” added the Committee.

(ST)