Western nations call for ‘political transition’ in Sudan

AFP, 09TH AFP, 2019 - Western nations Tuesday threw their weight behind Sudanese protesters demanding a plan for a political transition as security forces abandoned a bid to disperse demonstrators camped outside the army headquarters.

The protests, which first began in December, pose the biggest challenge to President Omar al-bashir in his three decades of iron-fisted rule.

Thousands chanting “freedom, freedom” stayed camped outside army headquarters in Khartoum for a fourth day Tuesday, after security forces abandoned two separate bids to disperse them when soldiers fired in the air to protect demonstrators, witnesses said.

“The time has come for the Sudanese authorities to respond to these popular demands in a serious and credible way,” the embassies of the United States, Britain and Norway said in a joint statement.

“The Sudanese authorities must now respond and deliver a credible plan for this political transition,” they added.

Thousands have been rallying since Saturday outside the sprawling complex that also houses the president’s residence in the largest demo since the protests erupted against a three-fold increase in bread prices in December.

The demonstrations have since mushroomed in towns and cities across the northeast African country, widening their demands to call for Bashir to step down.

Early on Tuesday, members of the National Intelligence and Security Service and riot police fired tear gas at the protesters in an abortive bid to end their sit-in, protest movement organizers said.

“There was heavy firing of tear gas after which army soldiers opened the gates of the compound for protesters to enter,” a witness told AFP.