Sudan troops clear protest
camp in Khartoum, kills dozens
 |
| Protesters march in Khartoum (AFP) |
Sudan’s security forces disperse protesters in the capital,
Khartoum, on Monday, reportedly killing at least 35 people and injuring more
than 200 others.
By Devin Watkins
Civilian protesters fled in fear as Sudanese security forces
fired off rounds of live ammunition.
The assault on the months-old sit-in camp at the heart of
Khartoum began early Monday morning.
Troops set fire to demonstrators’ tents and the sound of
gunfire filled the air. Videos posted online showed people running through the
streets and ducking for cover.
By midday, security forces had taken control of nearly the
entire camp, sealing off the area.
Sporadic unrest flared around the capital after news of the
crackdown spread. Smoke was seen rising from various locations around
Khartoum, and reports emerged of protesters blocking a bridge across the Nile
river with burning tires.
Heart of protest movement
The camp had become the epicenter of a movement that is
seeking to bring democratic reform to Sudan.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators set up the camp outside
the Sudanese military headquarters in April, following the overthrow of
President Omar al-Bashir.
Negotiations between protest leaders and military officials
have sought to decide the makeup of a transitional government.
Protesters are calling for “limited military representation”
in a sovereign council to lead Sudan until civilian rule takes over in three
years.
Easily-foreseen crackdown
An Italian journalist who is expert on Sudan told Vatican
Radio that a strike last week showed the protesters’ strength and vast social
appeal.
Raffaele Masto said the crackdown was expected to start from
one minute to the next after the 2-day strike was widely-observed throughout
the country.
The United States and several European nations are calling
on Sudan’s military to halt their violent suppression of protesters and
civilians.
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