Germany: Sudan must end violent crackdown on protesters

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Monday condemned Sudanese security forces for using excessive force to clear a protest camp in the capital Khartoum.

“There can be no justification for this violence and it must stop immediately,” German Foreign Ministry’s deputy spokesman Christofer Burger told a news conference in Berlin.

“The violent crackdown on the protest camp seriously endangers the process for a transition to a civilian-led government,” Burger said.

He called on all actors to refrain from any escalatory steps and return to the negotiation table.

At least nine protesters were killed and scores injured on Monday as Sudanese security forces moved in to clear the main protest camp near the army headquarters in Khartoum, according to the protest organizers.

In early April, Sudan’s military establishment deposed long-serving President Omar al-Bashir following months of popular demonstrations against his 30-year rule.

The Transitional Military Council (TMC) is now overseeing a two-year transitional period during which it has pledged to hold presidential elections.

Demonstrators, however, have remained on the streets to demand that the TMC relinquish power -- at the earliest possible date -- to a civilian authority.