Sudan military urged to refrain from violence against planned protests
November 12, 2021 (KHARTOUM) – International community and UNITAMS on Friday urged Sudan’s coup leaders to refrain from violence against peaceful protesters ahead of planned demonstrations on Saturday opposing the takeover.
The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) and the Resistance Committees call for demonstrations supporting the restoration of the civilian-led transition paving the way for a democratic rule in Sudan after 30-year of a totalitarian regime.
The Troika countries, the head of UNITAMS and later on Friday the White House National Security Advisor called to not use violence to disperse protests against a coup led by the Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on 25 October.
The Troika countries “call on the security services to respect the rights of Sudanese citizens to freely express their views without fear of violence or detention,” said the joint statement after rejecting the unilateral appointment of a new Sovereign Council.
Also, the UN Secretary-General Envoy to Sudan Volker Perthes called upon “the security forces to exercise utmost restraint and respect the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression”.
From Washington, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan again urged the coup leaders to “respect the Sudanese people’s right to demonstrate peacefully”.
Immediately after the coup, Sudan’s military rulers have shut down the internet service to disturb the organisation of protests and coordination between different activists.
Also, the internet blackout prevents the posting of videos showing brutal attacks by the security forces on the protesters.
The security forces also arrested political leaders and activists to hamper the protest movement in the country.
On Thursday, they detained Mohamed Nagi al-Asam SPA prominent figure and Alwathiq al-Breir Secretary-General of the National Umma Party (NUP).
The security forces killed 14 protesters and wounded over 300 others up to now after the coup.
The United Nations human rights council on 5 November decided to appoint an expert to monitor human rights violations in Sudan after the military coup.
(ST)