US Embassy in Sudan urges citizens to shelter in place amid planned protests

By Adel Abdurrahim

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AA) – The US Embassy in Sudan on Friday called on its citizens to shelter in place due to the protests that will take place around Khartoum on Saturday.

In a statement, the embassy said: "Sporadic and decentralized protests were reported in and around Khartoum on the night of Nov. 11 following the announcement of the appointment of a Sovereign Council.

“Large protests are planned for Nov. 13. While organizers continue to encourage non-violent civil disobedience, there have been violent confrontations in the past.”

The embassy advised American citizens to "avoid crowds and demonstrations and shelter in place to the extent possible."

On Thursday, Sudan's army head Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan issued a decree to form a new transitional Sovereign Council, appointing himself its chairman.

Al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, kept their positions they had in the previous council.

The announcement did not include someone to represent the eastern part of the country, according to the Sudanese official television that said the representative will be appointed at a later date.

The development comes after al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25 and dissolved the transitional Sovereign Council and government, triggering mass protests.

The move came amid mutual accusations between the military and politicians in the wake of a failed coup attempt in September.

Before the military takeover, Sudan was administered by a sovereign council of military and civilian officials which was overseeing the transition period until elections are held in 2023 as part of a precarious power-sharing pact between the military and the Forces for Freedom and Change coalition.

* Writing by Bassel Barakat in Ankara