AU mediator for Sudan urges killers’ prompt trial

KHARTOUM: The African Union’s mediator for Sudan called on Wednesday for a speedy trial for those responsible for killing schoolchildren at a protest in the city of Al Obeid.

Mohamed Hassan Lebatt also called for the ruling military council and opposition coalition to sign a constitutional declaration they have been wrangling over for weeks.

A joint legal committee from both sides is due to meet later on Wednesday, when it is expected to complete its work on the document, he told a news conference.

A date will be set for signing the constitutional declaration after the meeting, he said, adding he hoped that would happen quickly.

Six people, at least four of whom were children, were shot dead on Monday when security forces broke up a student protest in Al Obeid, 400 km southwest of Khartoum, opposition-linked doctors said. The teenagers were rallying against fuel and bread shortages, residents said.

The children’s deaths came at a time of heightened tension between Sudan’s military rulers and the main opposition coalition, and delayed already stalled talks over a transition deal following the overthrow of longtime ruler Omar al Bashir.

Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of a central Sudanese city on Wednesday, denouncing the killing of six demonstrators there including schoolchildren at a rally this week.

“Blood for blood, we don’t want compensation,” chanted men and women as they marched in Al Obeid.

Many carried Sudanese flags and some held photographs of those killed as they gathered in the downtown area, after marching through several parts of the city.