After coup, Sudan protest leaders wish to dismantle the ‘deep state’
Now that the leader that Sudanese demonstrators accuse of being tyrannical has been ousted, they also want to be rid of the people who replaced him
The people responsible for planning mass protests in Sudan told the BBC that they are aiming to dismantle the “deep state” that resulted in former president Omar al-Bashir’s ouster.
A spokesman for the protest leaders say Bashir, who was ousted from power by the army last week, and his regime should face trial, according to the BBC.
READ MORE: Embattled Sudan president al-Bashir overthrown by military; charged with genocide
The protests culminated in the end of Bashir’s 30-year reign. A military council is now promising citizens an election in two years — but that is not stopping protesters from camping out in front of the army headquarters in Khartoum mandating a civilian government now.
The BBC reported that efforts were underway to disperse the crowd, however protesters, backed by the Sudanese Professionals’ Association (SPA), joined hands in the sit-in on Monday.
SPA, which is organizing the protests, is telling supporters to keep the pressure on.
“We hope that everyone will head immediately to the areas of the sit-in to protect your revolution and your accomplishments,” the SPA said in a statement, the BBC reported.
Troops are keeping an eye on the protesters but are trying hard to avoid any physical confrontation.
Over the weekend, the military council threw out an olive branch to protest leaders — informing them that some government leaders had been arrested. Bashir was indicted in Darfur by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and committing crimes against humanity. He maintains that he did no wrong.
READ MORE: Clashes erupt as Sudanese march on presidential palace
A military spokesman also told protest leaders that the transitional council was “ready to implement” a civilian government that the opposition parties agreed on.
Still, protest leaders persist.
Amjad Farid, spokesman for the SPA, told the BBC that protest organizers “completely rejected” the interim military council that is leading Sudan. He said their demands include the “full dissolution of the deep state” and the dismantling of state intelligence agencies, according to the BBC.
To show how perilous the situation is, 13 protesters were reportedly killed over the weekend in an attack that took place in South Darfur. Armed attackers fired at an anti-government protest that took place at a camp for displaced people, according to the Darfur 24 news website.
