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.
So obviously the criminal Military Council has decided to disperse the sit in. Ironically they just held a round of negotiations and a presser with political bodies couple of hours ago#SudanUprising #SudanCoup #SudanProtests #اعتصام_القيادة_العامة #تسقط_تالت #يسقط_المجلس_العسكري pic.twitter.com/l7We0xOtsB — Ashraf (@ashgaaly) May 13, 2019
So obviously the criminal Military Council has decided to disperse the sit in. Ironically they just held a round of negotiations and a presser with political bodies couple of hours ago#SudanUprising #SudanCoup #SudanProtests #اعتصام_القيادة_العامة #تسقط_تالت #يسقط_المجلس_العسكري pic.twitter.com/l7We0xOtsB
— Ashraf (@ashgaaly) May 13, 2019
MILITARY SOURCE: yesterday’s attacks were carried out by rebel factions within the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, unhappy with the agreement reached between the Transitional Military Council and the opposition. — Yousra Elbagir (@YousraElbagir) May 14, 2019
MILITARY SOURCE: yesterday’s attacks were carried out by rebel factions within the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, unhappy with the agreement reached between the Transitional Military Council and the opposition.
— Yousra Elbagir (@YousraElbagir) May 14, 2019
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.
Confirmed: A third entity, not the army nor the RSF, orchastretd today’s violence. A group capable of dressing its personal in official uniforms and disguising them as soldiers. Situation under control now as crowds head to the sitin, 6 injured with gunshot wounds #SudanUprising — Mohanad Humam (@moehash1) May 13, 2019
Confirmed: A third entity, not the army nor the RSF, orchastretd today’s violence. A group capable of dressing its personal in official uniforms and disguising them as soldiers. Situation under control now as crowds head to the sitin, 6 injured with gunshot wounds #SudanUprising
— Mohanad Humam (@moehash1) May 13, 2019
NOTE: The same military council that said we should end our protests and let them take over the transitional period and claimed safety and security Either allowed this to happen or couldn’t prevent this from happening. Either way how on earth do they think they are fit to rule? — Mehairy J. Blige (@Mehaira_) May 14, 2019
NOTE: The same military council that said we should end our protests and let them take over the transitional period and claimed safety and security
Either allowed this to happen or couldn’t prevent this from happening.
Either way how on earth do they think they are fit to rule?
— Mehairy J. Blige (@Mehaira_) May 14, 2019
Moreover, people were also angered by the fact that TMC did not pay tribute to the martyrs.
TMC refuses to acknowledge murdered civilians as martyrs and instead only lists the injured and killed police/military. Same exact thing Bashir was doing. They don’t see civilians as martyrs, they see civilians as enemies who deserve to be killed.#اعتصام_القياده_العامه — Ramey Dawoud (@RealRameyDawoud) May 14, 2019
TMC refuses to acknowledge murdered civilians as martyrs and instead only lists the injured and killed police/military. Same exact thing Bashir was doing. They don’t see civilians as martyrs, they see civilians as enemies who deserve to be killed.#اعتصام_القياده_العامه
— Ramey Dawoud (@RealRameyDawoud) May 14, 2019
Sudanese doctors central committee reduces death toll to 4 including one officer, it had earlier said 6 died. Those wounded were more than 200 and 77 of them with gun wounds, 10 in critical state. #SudanUprising — Mohanad Humam (@moehash1) May 14, 2019
Sudanese doctors central committee reduces death toll to 4 including one officer, it had earlier said 6 died. Those wounded were more than 200 and 77 of them with gun wounds, 10 in critical state. #SudanUprising
— Mohanad Humam (@moehash1) May 14, 2019
Following the gruesome shooting that took place on 13 May, Al Qeyada witnessed its first funeral procession.
Funeral prayer and procession of a victim of May 13 attack by armed group in Khartoum on protesters. Several protesters accuse the Rapid Support Forces, who deny involvement #Sudan #SudanUprising pic.twitter.com/bB1aJjjLJW — Isma’il Kushkush (@ikushkush) May 14, 2019
Funeral prayer and procession of a victim of May 13 attack by armed group in Khartoum on protesters. Several protesters accuse the Rapid Support Forces, who deny involvement #Sudan #SudanUprising pic.twitter.com/bB1aJjjLJW
— Isma’il Kushkush (@ikushkush) May 14, 2019
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.
Army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) remove barricades set up by protesters along al-Arba’een St. in Omdurman, #Sudan #SudanUprising #السودان #تسقط_بس #اعتصام_القيادة_العامة https://t.co/NLkvszHW51 — Isma’il Kushkush (@ikushkush) May 15, 2019
Army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) remove barricades set up by protesters along al-Arba’een St. in Omdurman, #Sudan #SudanUprising #السودان #تسقط_بس #اعتصام_القيادة_العامة https://t.co/NLkvszHW51
— Isma’il Kushkush (@ikushkush) May 15, 2019
As RSF attempted to dismantle barricades, events escalated and took a violent turn, leaving many protesters injured.
Footage coming out of Khartoum shows a very dangerous escalation from the armed forces, activists report one fatality and three injured when the Rapid Support Forces tried to dismantle barricades erected near Al-Gomhoria crossing with Mek Nimir Downtown Khartoum.#SudanUprising — Mohanad Humam (@moehash1) May 15, 2019
Footage coming out of Khartoum shows a very dangerous escalation from the armed forces, activists report one fatality and three injured when the Rapid Support Forces tried to dismantle barricades erected near Al-Gomhoria crossing with Mek Nimir Downtown Khartoum.#SudanUprising
— Mohanad Humam (@moehash1) May 15, 2019
#الدعم_السريع_يقتل_الثوار نعم ده الحاصل الناس ديل بيقتلوا الثوار في وقت التفاوض اذا انا بفاوض في مجرم بيقتل الثوار القصة دي لازم تتحسم من هسي عشان الجنجويد مايبقوا لينا خنجر مسموم في جسد الوطن لازم يتحاسبوا الان وفي ميدان الاعتصام#السودات_التصعيد_الثوري #اعتصام_القياده_العامه pic.twitter.com/KoFeZSJSIi — 🇸🇩 HOSHA 🇸🇩 (@WADHOSHA) May 15, 2019
#الدعم_السريع_يقتل_الثوار نعم ده الحاصل الناس ديل بيقتلوا الثوار في وقت التفاوض اذا انا بفاوض في مجرم بيقتل الثوار القصة دي لازم تتحسم من هسي عشان الجنجويد مايبقوا لينا خنجر مسموم في جسد الوطن لازم يتحاسبوا الان وفي ميدان الاعتصام#السودات_التصعيد_الثوري #اعتصام_القياده_العامه pic.twitter.com/KoFeZSJSIi
— 🇸🇩 HOSHA 🇸🇩 (@WADHOSHA) May 15, 2019
According to the Central Committee of Sudan’s Doctors (CCSD), at least 14 protesters were injured.
لجنة أطباء السودان المركزية تقرير ميداني في محاولات آثمه لفك المتاريس والاعتصام المجيد قامت قوات تابعة للدعم السريع بإطلاق الرصاص على المعتصمين السلميين وترويعهم وضربهم بالعصي. نجم عن ذلك إصابات بالغة وردنا منها :#السودان_التصعيد_الثوري#اعتصام_القياده_العامه pic.twitter.com/AxHSsfz8oc — لجنة أطباء السودان المركزية – CCSD (@Sd_Doctors) May 15, 2019
لجنة أطباء السودان المركزية
تقرير ميداني
في محاولات آثمه لفك المتاريس والاعتصام المجيد قامت قوات تابعة للدعم السريع بإطلاق الرصاص على المعتصمين السلميين وترويعهم وضربهم بالعصي. نجم عن ذلك إصابات بالغة وردنا منها :#السودان_التصعيد_الثوري#اعتصام_القياده_العامه pic.twitter.com/AxHSsfz8oc
— لجنة أطباء السودان المركزية – CCSD (@Sd_Doctors) May 15, 2019
Meanwhile, the negotiations continued between the TMC and the Alliance of Freedom and Change.
Inside (opposition) source: Final negotiating point remains. The Forces of freedom & Change put forward a ruling council with 8 civilians & 3 military with a civilian head. The TMC has put forward 8 military, 3 civilians with a military head. “Final” talks today start at 9 pm — Yousra Elbagir (@YousraElbagir) May 15, 2019
Inside (opposition) source: Final negotiating point remains. The Forces of freedom & Change put forward a ruling council with 8 civilians & 3 military with a civilian head. The TMC has put forward 8 military, 3 civilians with a military head.
“Final” talks today start at 9 pm
— Yousra Elbagir (@YousraElbagir) May 15, 2019
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.
“قوى الحرية و التغيير تعهدت بإزالة الحواجز بخلاف #اعتصام_القيادة_العامة و لم تفعل ذلك.و القوات المسلحة لن تسكت علي هذا” اللواء عبد الهادي عبد الباسط من #السودان متحدثا عن تكرار الاعتداء على معتصمين .سألته هل معني ذلك أن القوات المسلحة هي من يطلق النار ؟ أجاب كالتالي #نقطة_حوار pic.twitter.com/KDrBYlfcL1 — محمد عبد الحميد BBC (@mabdulhamidBBC) May 15, 2019
“قوى الحرية و التغيير تعهدت بإزالة الحواجز بخلاف #اعتصام_القيادة_العامة و لم تفعل ذلك.و القوات المسلحة لن تسكت علي هذا” اللواء عبد الهادي عبد الباسط من #السودان متحدثا عن تكرار الاعتداء على معتصمين .سألته هل معني ذلك أن القوات المسلحة هي من يطلق النار ؟ أجاب كالتالي #نقطة_حوار pic.twitter.com/KDrBYlfcL1
— محمد عبد الحميد BBC (@mabdulhamidBBC) May 15, 2019
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.
10:19 ازالة المتاريس تدريجيا من شارع البلديةhttps://t.co/HWjHZLKKxz pic.twitter.com/hK71RXq7pR — Mustafa (@MustafaFarah_) May 15, 2019
10:19 ازالة المتاريس تدريجيا من شارع البلديةhttps://t.co/HWjHZLKKxz pic.twitter.com/hK71RXq7pR
— Mustafa (@MustafaFarah_) May 15, 2019
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.
In a statement, head of TMC Burhan: Revolution has lost its peacefulness, so we halted negotiations for 72 hours pending: – removal of roadblocks – clearing railroad tracks – halt on all media escalation – halt on antagonization of regime forces. #SudanUprising https://t.co/jUJk1yfazI — Munchkin (@BSonblast) May 15, 2019
In a statement, head of TMC Burhan:
Revolution has lost its peacefulness, so we halted negotiations for 72 hours pending:
– removal of roadblocks – clearing railroad tracks – halt on all media escalation – halt on antagonization of regime forces. #SudanUprising https://t.co/jUJk1yfazI
— Munchkin (@BSonblast) May 15, 2019
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 press awaits the results of the most recent negotiations between the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces and the Transitional Military Council #SudanUprising #Sudan #اعتصام_القيادة_العامة #تسقط_بس #السودان May 19, 2019 pic.twitter.com/45uAqLZLY7 — Isma’il Kushkush (@ikushkush) May 20, 2019
The press awaits the results of the most recent negotiations between the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces and the Transitional Military Council #SudanUprising #Sudan #اعتصام_القيادة_العامة #تسقط_بس #السودان May 19, 2019 pic.twitter.com/45uAqLZLY7
— Isma’il Kushkush (@ikushkush) May 20, 2019
Protestors waiting for outtakes from the meeting between the military council & the coalition. *Actually the whole country is waiting at home at the general command on the streets #SudanUprising https://t.co/ntxhxUoAku — dalliasd (@dalliasd) May 19, 2019
Protestors waiting for outtakes from the meeting between the military council & the coalition. *Actually the whole country is waiting at home at the general command on the streets #SudanUprising https://t.co/ntxhxUoAku
— dalliasd (@dalliasd) May 19, 2019
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.
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Δ
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.