Demonstrations in Khartoum call for further reforms
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Hundreds of Thousands of people took to the streets here Saturday to protest government's failure to fully implement programmes it agreed to initiate two years ago or undertake a reshuffle.
The demonstrators said those who came out in the streets on Saturday were followers of numerous political forces that were not strongly represented in the government that was formed after the end of the 30- year-old rule of Omar Bashir (1989-2018).
Supporters of the parties and former rebel groups participated in the demonstrations in front of the Republican Palace, along with native administration leaders and members, Sufi religious sects and representatives of tribal groups.
But government supporters belittled the gathering, particularly in the social media, where the government has strong backing.
However, the official media, led by the Sudanese News Agency SUNA, reported that “thousands took part in the protests on Saturday”.
On Friday, Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdouk said his government was facing “serious crises” and that efforts had to be doubled to bring back the government on track.
He proposed a roadmap consisting of “widening the basis of the government”.
Hamdouk argued that the essence of this crisis was the inability of the Sudanese political elite to agree on a national project to which all efforts would be veered, adding that this difficulty arose as a result of deep divisions among civilians and the military, and between civilians and the military on the other hand.
“I kept saying that the dispute is not between civilians and the military, but rather between the camp of the civilian democratic transition and the camp of the coup against the revolution, a dispute in which I could not be expected to remain neutral or mediator.
"My position is clear and firm, it is the complete siding with the civil democratic transition and to complete the tasks of the glorious December revolution and to achieve its slogans of freedom, peace and justice".
Observers said similar climate to various pre-coup events in the Sudan was currently prevailing. But this time a strong international presence of the United Nations as well as global disdain for coups were holding adventurers back.
But public discontent is high. Added to this is the division of the Sudanese political scene to a left leaning government supported by the west and a mild right supported by pro-Islamists.
Without a quick political reform and a ruthless use of the cutters of a surgeon, the Sudanese political life is prone to further demonstrations and splits.
-0-PANA MO/RA 16Oct2021
