Sudan forces attempt to break up sit-in outside army HQ

By Adel Abdel-Rahim

KHARTOUM (AA) – Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly attempted on Monday to break up a sit-in staged by protesters outside the army headquarters in Khartoum.

Military bulldozers moved to remove roadblocks erected by protesters near the headquarters but were forced back by protesters, according to eyewitnesses.

"The RSF and army forces claim they seek to remove the roadblocks to clean the area but the protesters refuse," a demonstrator tasked with protecting the camp, who preferred to remain unnamed, told Anadolu Agency.

Demonstrators have staged a sit-in outside the main army headquarters as part of protests against longtime President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted by the military last week after three decades in power.

The army also established a military council to run the country for a transitional period of two years.

Demonstrators, however, have refused to end their sit-in, calling for the transfer of power to a civilian government.

For its part, the Sudanese Professional Association (SPA), which spearheaded protests against al-Bashir, called on supporters to converge on the protest camp outside the army headquarters.

"We appeal to all to move immediately to the protest camp to protect the revolution and its gains," it said in a statement.