21 November 2024
May 22, 2019 by Afnan Hassab -

The Attacks of 13 May

On 19 May, the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the Alliance of Freedom and Change gathered around the table, after a 72-hour long period of suspending negotiations, to resume negotiations to determine or finalise an interim government that would be civilian-led – a key demand of demonstrators.

The attack

On 13 May and the 8th day of holy month of Ramadan, after a meeting between TMC and the Alliance of Freedom and Change, “unidentified armed forces” wearing the uniform of Rapid Support Forces (RSF), launched to the streets of Khartoum violently beating civilians using sticks and rubber hoses, shooting tear gas and live ammunition at the protesters. Barricades were removed with bulldozers and bullets were directly shot at protesters by armed forces who seemed to be ordered to ‘shoot to kill’.

The shooting led to death of at least five protesters and a member of the security forces. Dozens were left injured, suffering from bullet wounds and beatings by the armed forces. They were killed in gunfire in the outskirts of the mass sit-in in Al Qeyada outside the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) where demonstrators have been demanding full civilian government. Thousands of demonstrators have been occupying the streets in front of the HQ of SAF since 6 April, five days before Sudanese former President Omar Al Bashir was overthrown by the military.


It is unclear exactly what happened but activists and protesters said they were targeted by a gunman. The military said they are not responsible for the attack that took place and do not know who is behind it. But their attempt to clear their name from the shooting only backfired triggering the people to both doubt TMC’s claims and question their credibility to do their job, protecting the people.

In a press conference, TMC claimed that a third party other than the military and the RSF orchestrated violence and said that it was a party that was displeased with the progress the TMC and the alliance has made over the negotiations.  

Moreover, people were also angered by the fact that TMC did not pay tribute to the martyrs.

Following the gruesome shooting that took place on 13 May, Al Qeyada witnessed its first funeral procession.

Another attack: 15 May

On 15 May, a second attack took place. RSF attempted to remove barricades that the protesters have placed in many areas in Omdurman and Khartoum, leading to Al Qeyada.

In the early hours of the day, RSF embarked into another attempt to remove the barricades set up by the protesters in Khartoum. A move that was considered a threat and a clear indication that TMC’s was still trying new tactics, despite negotiations, to break the demonstration.

As RSF attempted to dismantle barricades, events escalated and took a violent turn, leaving many protesters injured.

According to the Central Committee of Sudan’s Doctors (CCSD), at least 14 protesters were injured.

Meanwhile, the negotiations continued between the TMC and the Alliance of Freedom and Change.

In an interview, General Abdelhadi Abdelbasit expressed that the alliance has agreed to remove the barricades and failed to follow up on the agreement and that TMC was not ready to tolerate it. His statement further increased the doubts about the identity of the forces which attacked the protesters, making it seem like it was TMC itself.

It was later that day that TMC announced the suspension of negotiations with the alliance to an undefined time, then later 72 hours.

TMC clarified that the suspension of negotiations was inspired by the alliance not keeping their promise and removing the barricades. As a result, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) issued a statement with maps showing the perimeters of the demonstration and requested that the protesters adhere to the margins as in the map. Protesters were then seen building new barricades or rebuilding already exiting ones near Al Qeyada on the streets of Khartoum.

In a press conference the following day, the current head of TMC, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan, justified the reasons behind TMC’s decision to suspend negotiations with the alliance, claiming that the protests lost their peacefulness and that the country is now unstable and unsafe.

As a response to TMC’s statement, the alliance stated that the demonstrations will continue, urging protesters to stay in Al Qeyada.

So what’s happening now?

Negotiations between TMC and the Alliance of Freedom and Change resumed on 19 May. The two parties continue the discussion over the distribution of seats in the interim government. The Alliance for Freedom and Change insists on a civilian-led government with limited military representation to govern the country during the three-year transition. The two sides have agreed on several key issues, including a three-year transition period and the creation of a 300-member parliament with two-thirds of legislators to come from the Alliance of Freedom and Change. 

The people of Sudan are hoping for a predominantly civilian rule; however, it is too early to tell if TMC is planning to give the people what they want.

Afnan Hassab describes herself as your typical dreamy millennial. A 22-year-old surgeon-in-the-making by morning and a struggling writer and blogger, by night. Dedicated humanitarian, unwavering feminist, relentless debater, obsessive cleaner and a coffee addict among other things. Born and raised in Jeddah, KSA. Went to college in Sudan. Based somewhere between these two countries and more.

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