Burhan says he will not be part of the Sudanese government after the transition Government News

Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has said he will not take part in the government coming after a period of transition, and has denied responsibility for the deaths of protesters who are rallying against the military’s takeover.

There have been protests against the coup since the army took power on October 25, but the crackdown has been deadly.

At least 14 protesters have been killed and about 300 injured, according to the Sudanese Central Medical Commission.

“It is our commitment – to ourselves, to the people of Sudan and to the international community – that we are committed to a democratic transition, to a timely election and to a cessation of political activity, and within the limits of the constitutional declaration and uninterrupted parties. ”Al-Burhan said in comments sent to Al Jazeera on Sunday.

“We are committed to handing over power to a civilian government with national competence and we are committed to protecting it from any interference that may hinder the transition,” he continued.

Al-Burhan also denied that the army was responsible for the deaths of the protesters.

“The Sudanese army is not killing civilians, and there are commissions of inquiry to reveal what happened,” he said.

The dialogue continued with anti-coup rallies in the capital, Khartoum and several other towns, increasing pressure on the military as a result of the political crisis.

Dozens of teachers rallied against the army outside the Khartoum ministry of education. According to the teachers’ union, at least 80 protesters were arrested in Khartoum on Sunday. There was no news of the dead.

Resul Serdar of Al Jazeera, who spoke to Burhan, said the general had the right to protest peacefully.

“Burhan said talks are underway with political parties and figures, including the ousted Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdo. [regarding] to reach a consensus to form a government, ”Serdar said from Khartoum.

“He said he hopes to reach an agreement in the next 24 hours, despite several obstacles.”

They threw tear gas as the protests continued

Earlier Sunday, Sudanese security forces fired tear gas at several anti-coup demonstrations, and protesters in several cities joined a two-day call for civil disobedience and a strike campaign to protest military power last month.

The calls for civil disobedience were directed by the Sudanese Professional Association (SPA), which also played a key role in the protests that led to the removal of the longtime strongman Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.

“The people of Sudan have rejected the military coup,” the SPA said, vowing “no negotiations, no cooperation”.

Appeals for civil disobedience to the SPA were spread through text messages to avoid disruptions to the internet that were from the putsch.

Hundreds of anti-coup protesters gathered in Khartoum, as well as in its twin city of Omdurman, south of Wad Madni, and in the northern city of Atbara.

“Authority belongs to the people,” and they shouted “no, no, to military authority” while demanding “civilian government”.

“Demonstrators barricaded the streets, set car tires on fire, called against military rule and claimed that civilian government is the people’s choice,” said Hoda Othman, who witnessed Omdurman’s protests.

The military acquisition sparked international condemnation, including cuts to aid sanctions and demands for a speedy return to civilian rule.

Al-Burhan stressed that it was “not a coup,” but a movement to “correct the trajectory of the transition”.

Separately, on Sunday, the Arab League’s top delegation held talks with al-Burhan and ousted civilian leader Abdalla Hamdok on “the importance of cooperation between the military and civilians” and ways to “resolve disagreements”.

Hamdo, who is still under house arrest at his Khartoum residence, has insisted on the release of government officials and politicians arrested in connection with the coup. He also wants “guarantees” for the military to return to power-sharing agreements prior to the coup, the official said.

On Thursday, the military released four civilian members of the government, but senior officials are still under arrest.