Sudanese security forces killed several anti-coup protesters killed

Thousands of people took to the streets to protest the October 25, 2021, coup that has plunged the country into grinding deadlock -AP Photo]

Sudanese security forces have killed at least three protesters during rallies against last year’s military coup, medics and an activist have said, before a visit by US diplomats seeking to revive a transition to civilian rule.

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Activist Nazim Sirag said three protesters were killed on Monday when security forces opened fire to break up a march in Khartoum, The Associated Press news agency reported. He said several others were wounded by gunshots.

Three protesters “were killed by live bullets” the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) said in a statement on Facebook. The group later said at least seven protesters had been killed.

Thousands of protesters demonstrating against military rule marched towards the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum, drawing volleys of tear gas from security forces, a Reuters witness said.

The protesters, who gathered some 2km (1.25 miles) from the palace, blocked a main road in the Al Diyum neighbourhood and burned tires before starting their march.

Huge crowds have regularly taken to the streets demanding a return to civilian rule since the military coup on October 25 ended a power-sharing arrangement that began after longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir was removed from power amid a popular uprising in April 2019.

The three killings on Monday bring to 67 the death toll of protesters killed since the October coup led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The military takeover triggered wide international condemnation and derailed a fragile transition to civilian rule following al-Bashir’s removal.