Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Sudanese streets were filled with tens of thousands of protesters on Tuesday.
The protesters demand greater civilian rule in the country’s transition towards democracy after removal of Omar al-Bashir last year.
The protest was named the “million-man march”.
It was called by the Sudanese Professionals’ Association, also known as Resistance Committees. The association was instrumental in the protests against al-Bashir and the generals who took over power for months after his removal.
Currently, the country is governed by a technocrat, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Hamdok governs the country at length with the dominant military that helped remove al-Bashir from his 30-year rule.
The protests are a result of the failure of the Hamdok and military coalition in implementing key parts of the deal in order for the transition to free elections, such as appointing civilian state governors and establishing a Parliament.
The protesters demanded the resignation of the provincial government, a halt to attacks by government-sanctioned armed groups, justice to be served over the killing of protesters since the movement against Al-Bashir and appointment of civilian governors for provinces as well as peace with country’s rebels.
The protestors also called for public trials of al-Bashir and his top government officials.
Hamdok, on the other hand, commented: “The transitional government … [is] aiming to achieve the highest levels of consensus and popular approval.”