Day 24 of the Military Coup
Summary of Events
It is Day 24 of #SudanBlackout: ADSL, phone and SMS services were completely severed today in anticipation of the mass demonstrations set to take place nationwide.
Despite the total communications blackout, thousands of Sudanese nationwide came out to protest military rule and voice their rejection of General Burhan and his newly formed government. Besides the 3 cities that make up the capital (Khartoum, Bahri, Omdurman), 16 cities and towns across Sudan were confirmed participants in today’s resistance activities. As always, the actual number of cities participating is much likely higher, but because of the telecom shutdown, news will take time to come to light.
The military forces' response was even faster than on November 13; along with preemptive measures such as blocking of bridges and streets, they also deployed to protest meeting points announced by resistance committees, shooting teargas as soon as protests began. In response, many ambushed protest groups (in Khartoum, Kassala and Port Sudan) had to change routes.
Today, Khartoum experienced the most violence since October 25; more than any other day, military forces' orders were clearly to shoot to kill. Most injuries recorded were gunshot wounds, and on the ground reports state that military forces were aiming directly at protesters. The hospitals, which were reportedly teargassed by military forces, are overrun with casualties; and some are yet to be identified. Casualties and medics coming in from the field were prevented from entering the hospitals.
Bahri received the brunt of attacks; medics, protesters and casualties were reportedly trapped in some homes as military forces continue to surround neighborhoods. The power was also reportedly cut off from neighborhoods in Bahri, as military forces continued to hunt for protesters and casualties, terrorizing the city.
Per the Central Doctors Committee, as of now, 15 ppl were killed; among them, a 70 year old man originally from Atbara, and Sit Alnufoor Bakar, who was 25 years old. The total number of casualties is still being tallied, with estimates at over 100 people. Murdered protesters were all shot in the head, neck, chest or abdomen.
Military forces even went so far as to teargas the home of one martyr, after his family had brought his body home from the morgue.
Important note: November 17 was the original date for the military to hand over power to the civilian camp, and the beginning of the second phase of the transitional period under civilian leadership. Instead, it was the "bloodiest day so far of #SudanCoup", to quote journalist Nima Elbagir.
Other protests across the country were teargassed, including in Medani, where a massive demonstration took place. Due to the internet and telecommunications shutdown, there is still no word on possible casualties, arrests, or deaths at any of the other protesting cities and towns today.
In Nyala, lawyers organized a silent protest in front of the Criminal Court of South Darfur denouncing the coup and standing in solitary with political detainees.
The University of Nyala Union members and leader were released from custody today after local pressure.
In ElObeid, North Kordofan State, anti-corruption committee member Nimat Malik was arrested by coup forces, and taken to an undisclosed location. She is one of several state anti-corruption committee members to be abducted by military forces since October 25.
The reaction of Sudanese people (both online and on the ground) to today’s violence has been shock and outrage. Reports from Khartoum indicate that this has only fueled people’s motivation to take to the streets. In Bahri, neighborhood committees called for a complete barricading of all roads in the area.
Alternatively, you can view the daily wrap-up in video format here.