Death toll rises to 60 in Sudan’s demonstrations

By Zeynep Tufekci and Omer Erdem

KHARTOUM (AA) - At least 60 Sudanese demonstrators were killed as Sudanese security forces moved in to clear the main protest camp near the army headquarters in the capital, Khartoum, according to Sudan’s pro-opposition Central Doctors Committee on Wednesday.

Late Monday night, at least 35 demonstrators were killed -- and hundreds more injured -- when security forces tried to disperse an ongoing sit-in outside army headquarters in Khartoum.

The committee said in a written statement that the death toll reached 60 people on Wednesday.

Sudan has remained in relative turmoil since April 11, when the country’s military establishment announced the “removal” of President Omar al-Bashir after months of popular protests against his 30-year rule.

The head of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council (TMC) announced early Tuesday that elections will be held within nine months to resolve the crisis since the ouster of former President Omar Al-Bashir.

The statement by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan follows the killing of more than 30 protesters Monday in the capital Khartoum as government forces dispersed a two-month sit-in calling for the handover of power to civilian authorities.

Addressing the nation on state television, Al-Burhan said the TMC has also cancelled all previous agreements with the main opposition coalition and has suspended talks with them.

Al-Burhan pledged to hold a free and fair election, adding the TMC will declare a temporary cabinet in the coming days.

He also promised to launch an investigation into the killing of the protesters.

* Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur