Sudanese doctors say 5 killed in anti-coup protests

Khartoum, Nov 13 (EFE).- Five people were killed by the Sudanese security services Saturday during large protests in the twin cities of Khartoum and Omdurman against the Oct. 25 military coup, the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors (CCSD) said.

Four of the fatalities were due to gunshot wounds and the fifth person succumbed to the effects of tear gas, according to the physicians group.

“Numerous critical injures among civilians are being reported as the vicious attack against peaceful protestors continues. In addition, the junta forces are hindering the transportation of the wounded to hospitals to receive medical attention,” the CCSD said in a statement.

The CCSD also said that troops invaded Al Arbaeen Hospital in Omdurman “and brutally attacked doctors on duty, wounded civilians, their families, and arrested some of them.”

Tens of thousands poured into the streets of Sudan’s cities in response to a call from the Sudanese Professionals’ Association (SPA) and the Resistance Committees, who are demanding the installation of an all-civilian transitional government and the release of political prisoners.

Participants and witnesses told Efe that scores of protesters were injured.

The CCSD says 17 people have been killed in demonstrations since Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan dissolved the joint military-civilian Sovereign Council that took charge following the ouster of dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 after 30 years in power.

The erstwhile civilian prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, remains under house arrest and this week, Al-Burhan reappointed himself head of the Sovereign Council, indicating that he has no plans to relinquish power in the near future. EFE

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