Sudan authorities to investigate killing of protester

February 26, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The commissioner of Khartoum locality, Omer Nimir, announced that authorities will launch an investigation into the killing of a protester in Khartoum.

Sumia Bushra died on Monday night from wounds she sustained during protests which broke out in the Al-Shajara suburb, south of Khartoum three weeks ago.

Activists said that a policeman hit Bushra in the head with his rifle butt, pointing that she spent three weeks in intensive care before she died at 8pm (local time) on Monday.

Violent protests erupted during her funeral on Tuesday, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse the protestors.

Nimir told Ashororq TV website that an investigation committee has been set up after filing charges under article 47 of the criminal law, saying the probe will be conducted according to the law.

The director of Khartoum state police, Mohamed Ahmed Ali, had earlier pledged to open investigation into the killing of Bushra, saying investigation are underway to apprehend the perpetrator.

Since May 2014, residents of Al-Shajara continued to protest against government decision to sell the land being used by the Armoured Corps of the Sudanese army which residents claim its ownership.

Nimir pointed out that a joint committee between the government and the residents of Al-Shigara has been formed to develop a housing plan, expecting the dispute will be resolved within two weeks.

He acknowledged that residents of Al-Shigara have a just cause, revealing efforts made by the minister of physical planning to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

The inhabitants of the capital accuse the state governments since under the regime of president Omer al-Bashir of selling public spaces and squares in Khartoum’s neighbourhoods to influential members of the ruling party or their companies, pointing to corruption and abuse of power.

Last week, the residents of Halfayat Almolook neighbourhood in Khartoum North also demonstrated against sale of land which they claim belong to them.

Last June, police also used tear gas and batons to disperse protests in the suburbs of Alrumaila and Allambab in south Khartoum to express their rejection against the state government’s intention to sell one of the public squares.

In 2013, hundreds of Om Doum residents staged demonstrations, blockading the main street and setting tires on fire to express fury against what they say are government plans to give away part of their lands to a Saudi investor. A teenager named Mohamed Abdel-Bagi was killed in the aftermath.

(ST)