Khartoum: Sudanese security forces fired tear gas to dissolve protesters in the Capital Khartoum on Saturday when the opponents of the military rules marched towards the Presidential Palace, the Witness Reuters, while internet services in the city were also cut.
This is the 10th day of a large demonstration since the October 25 coup, with protests continued even after Abdallah Hamdok was restored as prime minister on November 21.
The demonstrators had demanded that the military had no role in general elections.
In neighboring Omdurman on Saturday, security forces also fired tear gas in the protesters about 2 km from the bridge that connected the city to the middle of Khartoum, the other Reuters witness said.
Internet services were disrupted in the capital, Khartoum, and the army blocked the road at the beginning of the day, the witnesses said.
Local residents also cannot make or receive domestic calls.
Even though the internet is cut off, people can still post on social media, with images that show protests that occur in several other cities, including Madani and Atbara.
At the same time, soldiers and support forces were quickly on the road to block the road, which led to the bridge connecting Khartoum with Omdurman, the city of his sister across the Nile, they said.
The Suna State news agency reported that Khartoum province closed the bridge on Friday night to anticipate protests.
“Departing from peace, approaching and breaking sovereign and strategic sites in Central Khartoum is a violation of the law,” said Suna, citing the Provincial Security Coordination Committee.
“Chaos and violations will be handled,” he added.
Protesters in Khartoum Chanted: “Close the road! Close the bridge! Burhan will come directly to you,” Referring to the Military Leader and Head of the Sovereign Board Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.
They were also heard cheering when security forces fired tear gas, according to Witness Reuters.
A senior official in one Internet provider told Reuters, service disruptions followed the decision by the Corporation National Telecommunication, which oversees this sector.
The UN Special Representative for Volker Perthes Sudan urged Sudanese authorities not to hinder the planned demonstration on Saturday.
“Freedom of expression is human rights.
This includes full access to the internet.
According to the international convention, there is nothing to be arrested because of the intention to protest peacefully,” Perthes said.
The military cannot be contacted immediately for comments.
The planned march for Saturday will meet the Presidential Palace and the demonstration will expire at 5 pm (1500 GMT), the organizers said.
In Darfur, Minni Governor Minnawi asked residents to stop looting Unamid peace offices on Friday, with sources who told Reuters they heard gunshots around Saturday morning.
Last week, hundreds of thousands of people marched to the presidential palace and security forces fired tear gas volleyball and stun grenades when they dispersed the protesters who had tried to arrange sit-ins.
Forty-eight people were killed in hard action on protests since the coup, said the Sudanese doctor’s Central Committee.