In Sudan, the protesters braved again, the state of emergency that forbids any gathering, by demonstrating this Thursday in Khartoum
In Sudan, the protesters braved again, the state of emergency that prohibits any gathering, demonstrating this Thursday in Khartoum the capital and Oum Darman. They demanded, as they have for more than 70 days: freedom, democracy and the departure of the president, who has ruled the country for 30 years and who is held responsible for the poor political and economic situation in which the country is located. The police dispersed the hundreds of protesters with tear gas.
These parades, now called „the processions of challenges“ have not stopped, one week after the decree of the emergency law in the country. On Thursday, the government called on citizens to move away from “ positions of destructive activities ,“ thus designating the scene of the protests.
Observers fear that the situation is drifting into more violence. Concerns have been growing inside and outside Sudan since the emergency law was decreed on 22 February by President Omar al-Bashir. The head of state has taken several other measures by appointing officers to various posts in the state, raising fears of a return to military rule.
→ RELIRE: Sudan: the regime of Omar el-Bashir accentuates its stranglehold on the society
For activists and human rights activists in Sudan, the law primarily targets protesters and restricts public freedoms while expanding the powers of security forces. According to them, the exceptional courts will have the task of judging activists and sending them to detention. They fear for the future of the movement.
Eight people have been sentenced to prison terms in Sudan for participating in demonstrations banned by the regime of President Omar al-Bashir, the official media reported on Thursday (February 28th).
According to the International Crises Group, “ the risk of escalation is now higher than since the beginning of the protest movement .“ This group recalls that President al-Bashir used a similar tactic in 2013 during the student revolt. 230 people were killed in one week.
As for the number of journalists arrested since 19 December, they consider themselves the first victims of the emergency law. Chawgui Abdel Azim, editor-in-chief of Sudan 24, has resigned, saying: “ I can not criticize power or talk about corruption anymore. “
The protesters‘ protest committee reported that tibunals have begun to try dozens of protesters in immediate comparison with Um Darman.
