Sudan protesters surround government headquarters in Khartoum

By Talal Ismail
KHARTOUM, Sudan (AA) – Hundreds of Sudanese protesters on Monday surrounded the government headquarters in the capital Khartoum demanding the dissolution of the cabinet.

The move came amid a sit-in staged by protesters near the presidential palace in Khartoum to demand the “restoration of the revolution”, better living conditions, and the widening of political participation.

The Cabinet headquarters is just about two kilometers from the presidential palace.

Police forces have set up security barriers around the cabinet building to prevent angry protesters from storming into it, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter.

Protesters chanted slogans against Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok during the protest, the reporter said.

Sudan is ruled by a civilian government and a Sovereign Council, which consists of 14 members; five military representatives from the army, six civilians from the Forces for Freedom and Change coalition and three members who were added in February to represent armed groups after a peace deal was signed with the government in October 2020.

For weeks, tensions have escalated between the military and civilian components of the transitional authority in Sudan as the former criticized the latter following a foiled coup attempt on Sept. 21.

Meanwhile, demonstrations have shaken eastern Sudan since Sept. 17 in rejection of a peace deal with rebel groups, which the local Beja tribes say marginalizes their community.

Since Aug. 21, 2019, Sudan has been in a 53-month transitional period that will end with elections in early 2024.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar