Sudan forces force tear gas as protesters march on Presidential Palace By Reuters

By Nafisa Eltahir and Khalid Abdelaziz

KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Anti-apartheid activists marched near the presidential palace in Sudan’s capital on Saturday for the second time in a week, video footage showed, despite tear gas and suspension of messages.

A Reuters source said security forces fired tear gas to disperse the crowd on the 10th day of the major protests since Oct. 25.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said 178 people were injured in protests on Saturday, and eight others were killed by live ammunition.

In a separate statement, the committee said security forces stormed Khartoum Hospital and Port Sudan Hospital.

Protests against the coup continued despite Abdallah Hamdok being reinstated as prime minister last month. The protests demanded that the military take action in the run-up to the by-elections.

Last week, demonstrations began to take place at the gates of the palace before disbanding. But on Saturday he met with security and returned.

Internet services were disrupted in the capital, and people were unable to call or receive phone calls, witnesses said, as troops and Rapid Support Forces blocked roads leading to bridges connecting Khartoum and Omdurman, its sister city across the Nile.

Service began to return to other users late on Saturday.

Some people were able to post pictures on television showing demonstrations in several cities, including Madani and Atbara.

In Omdurman, security forces fired tear gas at protesters near a bridge linking the city center and in the center of Khartoum, a Reuters witness said.

‘A COVENANT IS EASIER’

“Leaving peace, approaching and violating the autonomy and prosperity of Khartoum is a violation of the law,” the SUNA news agency reported, citing the regional security committee.

“Violence and violence will be eradicated,” he added.

Opponents in Khartoum chanted: “Lock the road! Lock the bridge! Burhan we will come straight to you,” referring to the army chief and the leader of an independent organization, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

UN special envoy to Sudan Volker Perthes urged Sudanese government officials not to stand on Saturday’s protests.

“Freedom of speech is a human right. This includes full access to the internet. According to international conventions, no one should be arrested for peaceful protest,” Perthes said.

Soldiers were not immediately available for comment.

Sources told Reuters they heard gunshots near UNAMID’s peacekeeping offices in Darfur on Saturday morning.

Last Sunday, thousands of people marched on the presidential palace, and soldiers fired tear gas and deadly explosives to disperse protesters.

Forty-eight people have been killed in protests against the coup, Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said.