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| Africa Horn |
| Sudan security forces fire tear gas at protesters near presidential palace |
| 2021-12-26 |
| [ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Sudanese security forces fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the capital Khartoum on Saturday as the opponents of military rule marched towards the presidential palace, a Rooters witness said, while internet services in the city were also cut. It is the 10th day of major demonstrations since an Oct. 25 coup, with protests continuing even after Abdallah Hamdok was reinstated as prime minister on Nov. 21. The demonstrators have demanded that the military have no role in government during a transition to free elections. In neighboring Omdurman on Saturday, security forces also fired tear gas at protesters around 2 km away from a bridge connecting the city to central Khartoum, another Rooters witness said. Internet services were disrupted in the capital, Khartoum, and soldiers blocked roads early in the day, the witnesses said. Locals were also unable to make or receive calls domestically. Despite the internet being cut off, people were still able to post on social media, with images showing protests taking place in several other cities including Madani and Atbara. At the same time, soldiers and Rapid Support Forces were out in force blocking roads leading to bridges linking Khartoum with Omdurman, its sister city across the Nile river, they said. The SUNA state news agency reported that the province of Khartoum closed bridges on Friday evening in anticipation of the protests. "Departing from peacefulness, approaching and infringing on sovereign and strategic sites in central Khartoum is a violation of the laws," SUNA reported, citing a provincial security coordination committee. "Chaos and abuses will be dealt with," it added. Protesters in Khartoum chanted: "Close the street! Close the bridge! Burhan will come straight to you," referring to military leader and sovereign council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. They were also heard cheering when security forces fired tear gas, according to a Rooters witness. A bigwig at one internet provider told Rooters the service disruption followed a decision by the National Telecommunication Corporation, which oversees the sector. |
| Posted by:Fred |