Sudanese maintain protests to demand civilian rule

By Abdel Abdelrheem

KHARTOUM (AA) - Thousands of people continued to protest on Friday outside army headquarters in capital Khartoum to demand that Sudan’s ruling Military Transitional Council (MTC) hand over power to a civilian authority.

For the fourth consecutive week, demonstrators performed Friday prayers in Khartoum’s Al-Itisam Square, where preachers hailed the “revolution” and reiterated calls for “freedom, peace and justice”.

On April 11, the Sudanese army announced the “removal” of President Omar al-Bashir following months of popular protests against his 30-year rule.

The MTC is now overseeing a two-year post-Bashir “transitional period” during which it has pledged to hold free presidential elections.

Demonstrators, however, have remained on the streets to demand that the MTC hand over power -- at the earliest possible date -- to an elected civilian authority.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat