Sudanese security forces use tear gas on protesters in 11th major demonstration since coup

Tens of thousands of Sudanese protesters took to the streets Thursday to demand a transition to a civilian government.

1 min read

30 December, 2021

At least 48 people have died in crackdowns during weeks of protests in Sudan [source: Getty]

Sudanese security forces used tear gas on Thursday against protesters in the city of Bahri as they marched towards a blocked bridge connecting it to the capital Khartoum, a Reuters witness said.

Thursday was the 11th day of major demonstrations since an October 25 coup, which saw Abdallah Hamdok removed and then reinstated as prime minister.

Tens of thousands of Sudanese protesters defied a security lockdown, braving tear gas and chanting "no to military rule" as they marched in rallies demanding a transition to a civilian government.

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Mat Nashed

Demonstrators reached within a few hundred metres (yards) of the presidential palace, the headquarters of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan who seized power on October 25, before troops, police and paramilitary units launched multiple tear gas canisters into the crowd.

"The revolution continues," protesters shouted, beating drums and waving flags.

Pro-democracy activists have kept up a more than two-month-long campaign of street demonstrations against the army's takeover, despite a crackdown that has seen at least 48 people killed in protest-related violence, according to the independent Doctors' Committee.