Sudanese forces throw tear gas as protesters march on the presidential palace

By Nafisa Eltahir and Khalid Abdelaziz

KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Anti-military protesters marched near the presidential palace in the Sudanese capital for the second time in a week on Saturday, as television footage showed heavy tears and a blackout in communications.

A Reuters witness said security forces fired tear gas to disperse the crowd on the tenth day of major protests since the October 25 coup.

Sudan’s Central Medical Commission said 178 people were injured in Saturday’s protest, and eight were killed by bullets.

In separate statements, the commission said security forces had entered Khartoum Hospital and Port Sudan Hospital.

Protests against the coup have continued even after Abdallah Hamdo resigned as prime minister last month. Demonstrators demanded that the military not play any role in the government during the transition to free elections.

One week ago, protesters began sitting down before scattering at the gates of the palace. But security forces rallied and retreated on Saturday.

Internet services were disrupted in the capital, and residents were unable to make or receive phone calls, witnesses said, while soldiers and Rapid Rescue Forces blocked roads leading to bridges linking Khartoum and Omdurman to Omdurman, his sister city across the Nile.

For some users at least the service started returning late on Saturday.

Some people managed to post images of protests in other cities on social media, including Madani and Atbara.

In Omdurman, security forces fired tear gas at protesters near a bridge linking the city to central Khartoum, another Reuters witness said.

‘CHAOS AND MORE’

“Moving away from peace of mind, approaching and breaking the sovereign and strategic sites of central Khartoum is a violation of the law,” the state news agency SUNA reported, citing the provincial security coordination committee.

“Chaos and abuse will be tackled,” he added.

Khartoum protesters shouted, “Close the street! Close the bridge! We will come straight to you in Burhan,” referring to military leader and independent council leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Sudanese special envoy Volker Perthes has called on the Sudanese authorities not to obstruct Saturday’s demonstrations.

“Freedom of expression is a human right. It includes full access to the Internet. According to international agreements, no one should be arrested in order to protest peacefully,” Perthes said.

The military could not be reached for comment.

Sources told Reuters that gunfire was heard around UNAMID peacekeepers’ offices in Darfur on Saturday morning.

Last Sunday, hundreds of thousands of people marched to the presidential palace and security forces fired tear gas and grenades to stun protesters.

48 people have been killed in a crackdown on protests against the coup, the Sudanese Central Medical Commission reported.