LONDON, (The Southern African Times) – The Sudanese army is facing widening opposition to this week’s coup, with state officials in Khartoum vowing disobedience and activists mobilizing for mass demonstrations later this week.
The takeover led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Monday against a civilian government has brought thousands of people into the streets to reject a return of army rule and demand a transition towards civilian rule be put back on track.
According to a Facebook statement, ministries and agencies of Sudan’s most populous state, Khartoum, which includes the capital and twin city Omdurman, said they would not step aside or hand over their duties.
They declared a general strike, although they would continue to supply flour, cooking gas, and emergency medical care.
The main market, banks and fuel filling stations in Khartoum were still closed on Thursday. Hospitals were providing only emergency services. Smaller shops were open, but there were long queues for bread.
A source close to ousted Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said he remains committed to a civilian democratic transition and the goals of the revolt that toppled Omar al-Bashir two years ago. Hamdok, initially held at Burhan’s residence, was allowed to return home under guard on Tuesday.
Several people have been killed in clashes with security forces since the takeover, and opponents fear the army-led authorities could deploy more force.
The source close to Hamdok said the prime minister had called for the military to avoid violence against protesters.
Sudan has been in the midst of a deep economic crisis with record inflation and shortages of basic goods, which only recently showed signs of possible improvement helped by aid that major Western donors say will end unless the coup is reversed.
The military takeover brought an end to a shaky transitional set-up intended to lead Sudan to elections in 2023 by sharing power between civilians and the military following Bashir’s fall.
