Thousands of pro-military protesters and supporters of Sudan’s transitional government have taken to the streets of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, while also holding sit-ins outside the presidential palace.
The rallies were organized by opposing factions of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) civilian umbrella coalition, which spearheaded mass demonstrations in 2019 that led to the removal of former President Omar al-Bashir.
The country is currently being governed by a Sovereign Council made up of military and civilian leaders that oversee the country’s transition until elections scheduled for 2023, as well as a civilian cabinet led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, characterizing a fragile power-sharing deal between the military and the FFC.
The FFC’s mainstream faction has supported Hamdok’s government, while a breakaway pro-military grouping has demanded the dissolution of his interim cabinet.
Both sides appealed to their supporters to keep apart and refrain from any violence. There was a heavy police and troop presence around potential flashpoints.
Demonstrators also joined marches organized by the mainstream faction in several other cities across Sudan including Khartoum’s twin city Omdurman, Port Sudan in the east, and Atbara to the north.
