9 Sudanese killed during 30th June demonstrations for civilian rule
June 30, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Nine Sudanese lost their lives during the anti-coup protests in Khartoum state where the security services used their rifles to disperse protesters.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters went out across the country to demonstrate against the military coup of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and show their support for civilian rule.
On the other hand, the security forces massively fired tear gas and live bullets on the protesters despite the lift of the state of emergency and the end of judicial immunity.
As a result, nine protesters were killed by gunshots in Khartoum state. Six were killed in Omdurman, one in Bahri and two in Khartoum city.
The murder of Ali Zakaria in Siteen Street of Khartoum city was the most horrible.
A video released on social media shows how a soldier continued to shoot the protester until one of his colleagues stops him and run to see the dead with other security members to verify his death before leaving him on the street.
The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) issued several statements to update about the situation on the ground and hailed the courage and determination of the peaceful protesters.
“The bravery and valour of peaceful protesters have terrorized the security forces,” said the CCSD.
The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) condemned the use of excessive violence by the security forces and saluted the determination of the Sudanese people to achieve the goals of the revolution.
“The June 30 demonstrations brought about a qualitative change in the balance of power in favour of the mass movement, its goals to establish full civilian power and defeat the coup regime,” read a statement from the FFC groups.
The demonstrations “proved that the revolution is alive and did not die. It witnesses a new birth every day,” further stressed the alliance which campaigned together with the Resistance Committee for the protests.
For their part, the National Consensus, a coalition of armed groups that split from the FFC and backed the coup, issued a statement calling for the resumption of dialogue under the auspice of the trilateral mechanism.
Political divisions “is a major reason for the failure of the Sudanese revolutions to achieve their goals of building a state of citizenship, democracy and sustainable peace,” said the National Consensus.
The authorities closed the bridges linking the three cities of the capital to prevent protesters from reaching the Sudanese presidency and shut down the internet.
However, videos and photos circulated on social media show the huge mobilisation across the country. Also, ban-Arab TV stations such as Al-Jazeera and Al-Hadath broadcast live the protests.
From Washington Molly Phee, U.S. Undersecretary for Africa posted a tweet to condemn the killing of protesters in Khartoum.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the use of live fire by security forces against civilians. We offer our condolences to those who lost family members,” said Phee.
The American official had received pledges from al-Burhan on Wednesday to not use violence against protesters.
UN strong reaction
In New York, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. strongly condemned the excessive use of violence against protesters in Sudan.
“We’re very, very much gravely concerned by the continued use of excessive force by the Government security forces in Sudan,” said Dujarric.
He further called for an inclusive political solution to restore the constitutional order and democratic transitions.
In a tweet posted after the protests, U.S. Chargé d’affaires Lucy Tamylin said “Deeply concerned and saddened” by the killing of protestors and aggression against medical workers.
In the same vein, Norway’s Ambassador to Sudan Therese Løken Ghezie condemned the use of live ammunition against protesters, and attacks on medical personnel and called for accountability and justice.
(ST)