Day 20 of the Military Coup
Summary of Events
It is Day 20 of #SudanBlackout: the deliberate internet shutdown continued on this critical day, when Sudanese across the country came out in mass demonstrations against the Burhan coup and military rule.
Reports that telecom services were especially limited today, with many international callers reporting difficulty getting in touch with their relatives on the ground (calls cutting out, looping, etc).
As planned by resistance committees, cities across Sudan came out today to protest the Burhan coup and military rule, demanding full civilian government and the prosecution of coup orchestrators.
Below is a list of Sudanese cities who participated in today's nationwide demonstrations; with #SudanBlackout, important to note this list is likely incomplete, as many parts of the country are incommunicado:
Khartoum, Bahri, Omdurman
Medani, Jezira State
Rufa'a, Jezira State
Almanagil, Jezira State
AlDuweim, White Nile State
Kosti, White Nile State
Tendalti, White Nile State
Damazin, Blue Nile State
Port Sudan, Red Sea State
Kassala, Kassala State
Atbara, River Nile State
Karima, Northern State
Dongola, Northern State
El-Fashir, North Darfur State
Abushok IDP Camp, North Darfur State
Nyala, South Darfur State
Gedarif, Gedarif State
ElObeid, North Kordofan State
Coup forces - both joint military and police - were significantly quicker to crackdown on protests than during October 30 'millions march'. Physical assault, mass arrests, teargas, stun grenades, and a variety of bullets (rubber, live,"expanding bullets") were used.
In Khartoum, the military also resorted to abduction, sending out public transport vans claiming to take people to protest meeting points, only to disappear with them (according to Central Doctors Committee). As far as we know, those abducted protesters are still missing.
In Gedarif and Khartoum, there were reports of coup forces carrying out neighborhood raids to arrest and assault citizens. Mass arrests were reported nationwide, most significant which in Darfur, where arrests now exceed 100, and where detention conditions are concerning. According to the Darfur Bar Association, 34 detainees in Nyala are held in a 3x4m cell. Those detainees are reportedly experiencing fever and other symptoms of illness. In Khartoum, 6 female protesters were reportedly arrested and beaten by police; according to activists, they are falsely accused of arson.
As of yet, it is difficult to ascertain the total number of casualties in Khartoum; that data still being collected. Several hospitals struggled with a heavy influx of casualties, sending callouts for staff, supplies and blood donations; this was particularly the case in Omdurman, where military violence was significant.
Reports of coup authorities preventing injured protesters from getting medical care, including stopping ambulances, raiding hospitals (e.g. Alarba'een in Omdurman) and beating and arresting staff, casualties and co-patients.
As per the Central Doctors Committee, as of now, there are 5 confirmed deaths in Khartoum, including a 15 year old boy and 14 year old girl, who sustained a gunshot wound to the head when a stray bullet entered her home. The total number of casualties is still undetermined, although it is likely to be in the hundreds. However, because of #SudanBlackout, data is still unavailable for the various participating cities across Sudan.
Abroad, diaspora protests are still ongoing, with communities coming out in UK, France, Germany, Australia and some cities in the US and Canada.
In the media, coup authorities denied the use of force on peaceful protesters; some blaming it on "communists and Baathists". The Coup Council also announced it will be holding elections in 8 months - this, 2 weeks after saying that elections would take place in 2023.
The response of military forces to these peaceful, unarmed protests has outraged the Sudanese people; currently, talks of holding another 'millions march' on November 17 (#Nov17March) are underway among resistance committees.
Funfact: Nov 17 is original date of phase 2 of transitional period to be led by civilian camp of the power-sharing transitional government. However, 20 days on, PM Hamdok, cabinet ministers, activists and political figures all remain in unlawful detention.
Alternatively, you can view the daily wrap-up in video format here.