Security forces in Sudan have blocked access to major roads and bridges in the capital, Khartoum, as anti-government campaigners plan mass protests on the first anniversary of the latest military coup d’etat.
Authorities also blocked internet access nationwide as activists marked the first anniversary of a coup that derailed the transition to civilian rule. Since October last year, more than 100 people have been killed in violent protests.
Waving Sudanese flags, demonstrators on Tuesday defied authorities who have launched repeated deadly crackdowns on past rallies, chanting “power to the people” and demanding that “soldiers go back to the barracks”.
Despite economic hardship and inflation throttling the country, the military government has remained under pressure from the international community and the regional bloc. On Monday the US said it could sanction those undermining the transition to civilian rule.
In spite of expressing a commitment to democratic reforms, Sudan’s military rulers have gradually tightened their hold on power and defaulted on political and social reforms it pledged after the removal of long-serving leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019.