KHARTOUM, Sudan
Opponents of Sudan's transition to democracy took to the streets of Khartoum on Saturday to call on the army to take control of the country.
Several thousand demonstrators gathered outside the presidential
palace as the country's political crisis deepens.
Military and civilian groups have been sharing power since the
toppling of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
However, tensions have grown since a coup attempt attributed to
followers of Bashir was foiled in September.
Since then, military leaders have been demanding reforms to the
Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition, a civilian alliance that led the
anti-Bashir protests and formed a key part of the transitional government. The
armed forces have also called for the replacement of the cabinet.
However, civilian leaders say that the demands are part of a
power grab from the armed forces.
On Saturday, pro-military demonstrators chanted "down with
the hunger government" and called for General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head
of the armed forces and Sudan's joint military-civilian Sovereign Council, to
instigate a coup and seize control of the country.
"We need a military government, the current government has
failed to bring us justice and equality," one protester told AFP.
Unlike previous demonstrations in the country, protesters were
allowed to reach the gates of the presidential palace and there was little
police presence.
Pro-government protesters have also called a rally on Thursday
in response to Saturday's demonstrations.
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