Pro-democracy activists say they’ll turn out in large numbers on Tuesday to reaffirm demands for full civilian rule on the first anniversary of the coup.
Khartoum, Sudan – Security forces have stepped up a crackdown in recent days to deter protesters from taking part in a major march on Tuesday, activists and analysts say.
Demonstrators plan to demand full civilian rule one year after a military coup upended Sudan’s transition to democracy and tipped the country into an economic crisis.
Many activists are bracing for violence from the police force, which has come under significant criticism since the death of a young man, Mudasser Kamal, in custody on October 11.
Three days after his arrest, the police released a statement saying Kamal died in custody because of stomach pain, but Kamal’s family and human rights lawyers say his body bears signs of torture. Lawyers and activists are now calling for an independent investigation and a credible autopsy.
“The junta relies on this sort of violence to stay in power,” said Sammer Hamza, a 25-year-old member of the pro-democracy movement.
“This time, the crime was committed by the police, but armed groups and the army have done the same thing in the past,” Hamza said.
Since Kamal’s death, the ruling generals have cracked down on demonstrations and activists while fuelling conflicts across the country’s marginalised peripheries.
The violence has hardened the attitudes of members in the pro-democracy movement who promise to turn out in large numbers on Tuesday.
Raids and arrests
Authorities have targetted activists and artists affiliated with the pro-democracy street movement. The latest incident occurred on Thursday when government forces stormed an art and tech space called Civil-Lab in Khartoum, the capital. The officers trashed an art exhibition, confiscated paintings and arrested nine people.
While those detained were released on bail that evening, they were charged with advocating for violence against the authorities, disturbing public peace and compromising public safety. The theme of the art exhibit was to draw attention to the threat that the coup authorities pose to protesters.
