Sudanese soldiers protect anti-government protesters from security forces

A Sudanese demonstrator wears the national flag during a protest demanding Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir to step down in Khartoum. Picture: Reuters/Stringer

A Sudanese demonstrator wears the national flag during a protest demanding Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir to step down in Khartoum. Picture: Reuters/Stringer

Published Apr 8, 2019

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Khartoum - Sudanese soldiers intervened to protect protesters from security forces who attempted to break up a sit-in outside the defence ministry, demonstrators and witnesses said.

Security forces on pickup trucks were firing tear gas as they charged towards thousands of anti-government demonstrators.

Sudanese security forces on Monday attempted to break up a protest by thousands of anti-government demonstrators camped outside the defence ministry in central Khartoum, witnesses said.

They said security forces on pickup trucks fired tear gas as they charged towards the sit-in. No further details were immediately available.

The demonstrators have camped for two nights outside the compound, part of an attempt to increase pressure on President Omar al-Bashir to step down after nearly 30 years in office.

Previous attempts by security forces failed to disperse the protesters.

Public anger against bread and cash shortages exploded into demonstrations in December but quickly turned against Bashir's administration.

Bashir has acknowledged that the protesters have legitimate demands but said that the way to address these demands is through peaceful means and the ballot box. 

Reuters

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