{"id":47355,"date":"2022-01-09T15:24:18","date_gmt":"2022-01-09T15:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qatar-news.org\/qatarnewsEn\/?p=47355"},"modified":"2022-01-09T15:24:18","modified_gmt":"2022-01-09T15:24:18","slug":"sudan-security-forces-fire-tear-gas-at-khartoum-protesters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qatar-news.org\/qatarnewsEn\/?p=47355","title":{"rendered":"Sudan security forces fire tear gas at Khartoum protesters"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A leading Sudanese protest group has rejected a UN initiative to hold talks with the military.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Security forces have fired tear gas as thousands rallied in Sudan\u2019s capital Khartoum and a neighbouring city, keeping up the pressure on the military following a coup 11 weeks ago.<\/p>\n

The coup, led by army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on October 25, derailed a power-sharing transition between the military and civilians that had been painstakingly established in the wake of the overthrow of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019.<\/p>\n

Security forces fired tear gas as pro-democracy protesters headed towards the presidential palace on Sunday, amid roadblocks seeking to prevent people converging there and at army headquarters \u2013 the epicentre of mass demonstrations that forced al-Bashir out.<\/p>\n

Protesters also rallied in Omdurman, Khartoum\u2019s twin city, as well as northern Khartoum.<\/p>\n

Al Jazeera\u2019s Mohamed Vall, reporting from Omdurman, said crowds have started to gather despite a heavy security presence.<\/p>\n

\u201cTear gas has been used against thousands of protesters in central Khartoum. They were marching towards the presidential palace. They tried to reach the palace but couldn\u2019t, as usual. They were pushed back security forces,\u201d Vall said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Omdurman, the crowd is picking up. They are behind schedule. They usually start early. They, too, are trying to march towards central Khartoum. To get there they will have to cross bridges which are closed and manned by security forces. Security forces are waiting for them in big numbers,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The protests since the coup \u2013 one of several power grabs in Sudan\u2019s post-independence history \u2013 has been met with a crackdown that has killed<\/a> at least 60 people, according to medics.<\/p>\n

Authorities have repeatedly denied using live ammunition in confronting protesters and insist dozens of security personnel have been wounded during demonstrations that have often \u201cdeviated from peacefulness\u201d.<\/p>\n