Turkey ‘deeply concerned’ about violence in Sudan

By Ali Murat Alhas

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey is “deeply concerned” about Sudanese security forces’ deadly intervention Monday against sit-in protests in Khartoum on Monday, Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

At least 13 protestors were killed and hundreds were injured as security forces moved in to clear the main protest camp near the army headquarters.

The ministry in a written statement said the negotiation process should be in line with national consensus as it emphasized peaceful methods should be adopted instead of resorting to violence to ensure the stability and security.

The statement urged Sudan’s Transitional Military Council (TMC), the country’s military establishment that deposed former President Omar al-Bashir, to rapidly meet the expectations of the Sudanese people and pointed to the importance of establishing a civilian government.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that Ankara would always support “brotherly” Sudan and its citizens.

The sit-in has been the epicenter of protests demanding the TMC hand over power to a civilian government.

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

The 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 demanding the TMC relinquish power -- at the earliest possible date -- to a civilian authority.