Omdurman Protest Achieves Largest Anti-Government Protest of the Sudan Uprising

On Wednesday, 9 January 2019, Sudan witnessed its largest anti-government protest of the ongoing Sudan uprising, which began on 19 December 2018 over shortages and rising prices of essential commodities. Over 20,000 protesters in Omdurman marched towards Al Shuhada Square, demanding the step down of President Omar Al Bashir and the ruling National Congress Party. 

9 January 2019, Omdurman witnessed the largest popular march with over 20,000 protestors demanding NCP and Bashir to go. #SudanRevolts #SudanUprising #مدن_السودان_تنتفض pic.twitter.com/FOVMRFLySu

— Sudan Change Now (@Sudanchangenow) 9 January 2019

Anti-government protest reportedly in historical city of Omdurman, #Sudan, towards al-Shuhada Square after President al-Bashir’s speech and police respond with tear gas pic.twitter.com/akwS0ZaB6h

— Isma’il Kushkush (@ikushkush) 9 January 2019

While thousands were protesting against Al Bashir in Omdurman, the president and his supporters staged a demonstration where Al Bashir danced and delivered a speech in the first pro-Bashir rally in the Green Yard in Khartoum with thousands of backers. Hundreds of riot policemen, soldiers and security agents with machine guns were deployed around the site. Al Bashir is rejecting to step down and says he is ready to hand over the power but only through elections.

البشيريحتفل عقب خطابه الذي حذر فيه من تخريب ممتلكات الشعب#السودان pic.twitter.com/WnutL6Gaei

— الجزيرة مباشر (@ajmubasher) 9 January 2019

In retaliation to the anti-government protests in Omdurman, police forces used tear gas to disperse protesters. There are reports of government militia responding with live ammunition against protesters, leaving at least three people dead, according to Sudan Change Now, a Sudanese political movement established in 2010 by young activists working for peaceful democratic change in Sudan. The number of casualties is likely to rise.

9January2019, three confirmed deaths as result of fire bullets wounds. One of them is a 16 years old boy. Omdurman hospital has been stormed by security forces and NCP civilian militias and several doctors and wounded patients a were arrested. #SudanUprising #مدن_السودان_تنتفض pic.twitter.com/WeaBG9cAIn

— Sudan Change Now (@Sudanchangenow) 9 January 2019

الشهيد محمد الفاتح مصطفى
تاريخ الاستشهاد 9/1/2019
أمدرمان#مدن_السودان_تنتفض pic.twitter.com/WR4zKDQKJr

— Sudan Change Now (@Sudanchangenow) 9 January 2019

يا شهيد الشعب أهلا
الشهيد: صالح عبدالوهاب
امدرمان، ٩ يناير ٢٠١٩ #مدن_السودان_تنتفض pic.twitter.com/S10iapZ5fJ

— Sudan Change Now (@Sudanchangenow) 9 January 2019

During the deadly anti-government protests in Omdurman, police officers raided and chased demonstrators into side roads, homes as well as hospitals.

قوات النظام ترتكب مجزرة اليوم داخل مستشفى الحوادث ام درمان#موكب_9يناير #مدن_السودان_تنتفض #تسقط_بس #قرفنا pic.twitter.com/Ym0avOtrkn

— Girifna قرفنا (@girifna) 9 January 2019

Sudan protesters staged a sit-in at Al-Silah Al-Tibi Hospital, run by the Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF), to ensure injured protesters receive blood donations and protection from getting arrested by security forces.

الان الثوار لايف امام السلاح الطبي و البرلمان و سوف يبيتون الى الصباح..الرجاء مساعدتهم بالغذاء و الشراب وزيادة العددية#تسقط_بس #مدن_السودان_تنتفص
٩/١/٢٠١٩ #موكب9يناير pic.twitter.com/eFeBfKWLOu

— Anonymous Sudan (@anonymous_Sudan) 9 January 2019

Sudanese activist occupy a space in front of the Silah Altiby hospital to make sure injured get needed blood donations and don’t get arrested by security forces. Sadly three have died so far including a 16 year old kid.#SudanUprising pic.twitter.com/CD4ROZELum

— hajooj kuka (@hajooj) 9 January 2019

Hospitals were swamped with injured protesters including Omdurman Hospital and Al-Silah Al-Tibi Hospital. Asia Hospital in Omdurman released an official notice that injured protesters will be injured for free.

#مدن_السودان_تنتفض#تسقط_بس #Retweet pic.twitter.com/prindXiD6T

— ahmed sallah (@takooosi) 9 January 2019

Doctors at Omdurman Hospital have announced that they are going on strike after police forces shot tear gas inside the hospital and Emergency Room.

اضراب شامل م.امدرمان pic.twitter.com/HRoffC9sFS

— esmail abujalabia (@abujalabia) 9 January 2019

اخطر فيديو في تاريخ الثورات السودانية يوثق لجرائم نظام الاخوان المسلمين في السودان
التصوير من داخل مستشفى أمدرمان
نرجو توزيعه على اكبر نطاق

هيا #تسقط_بس pic.twitter.com/hekL0QvJ3T

— التغيير (@Tagyier2020) 9 January 2019

Omdurman Hospital is completely shut down and sieged by police #SudanUprising #SudanRevolts #موكب9يناير #مدن_السودان_تنتفض pic.twitter.com/mR0ISXDjTk

— Ashraf El-Ga’aly (@dardachat) 9 January 2019

Regardless, protesters were successful in reaching Parliament. However, protesters were blocked by police forces after their arrival to the Parliament.

Important to note: the anti-regime march was successful in reaching Parliament today. https://t.co/szmhYGsNkt

— Yousra Elbagir (@YousraElbagir) 9 January 2019

الشباب معتصمين الان في السلاح الطبي بالقرب من المجلس الوطني ب #امدرمان يطالبون الشباب في #الخرطوم و #بحري باللحاق بهم و مساندتهم عاجلا.#مدن_السودان_تنتفض#تسقط_بس#موكب9يناير @YousraElbagir @khalidewais @blackboy @AssociationSd @AlHadath @Rofaidayassin @McLad84 pic.twitter.com/8bDH8nwR2Y

— Sniper 🇸🇩 (@AnonSDN) 9 January 2019

The deadly anti-government protests came a day after one of the largest protests of the Sudan uprising took place in Al Qadarif on 8 January 2019 with hundreds of protesters demanding the step down of Al Bashir and his regime.

⭕️ فيديو للمظاهرة التي انطلقت في ولاية القضارف اليوم.. pic.twitter.com/6KocuTxYYR

— ★مچ تبآآآآ★ (@MujtabaaMusaa) 8 January 2019

Since the protests began on 19 December, at least 50 civilians have been killed during clashes with riot police and more than 800 protesters have been arrested. Protests in Sudan began over shortages and rising prices of basic commodities such as bread and fuel. Protesters are calling for the overthrow of Al Bashir and his government. Al Bashir has been in power for approximately 30 years, since 1989.