Medics say security forces killed 10 protesters in Sudan

Security forces in Sudan killed 10 protesters during pro-democracy protests on Wednesday, according to local medics.

Thousands of people gathered in cities across the country to protest the military coup that occurred in October, with security forces killing 10 and injuring dozens of others, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said, Reuters reported.

“The coup forces used live bullets heavily in different areas of the capital and there are tens of gunshot injuries, some of them in serious condition,” the group stated.

Witnesses say tear gas, rubber bullets and live bullets were used to dispel protesters who were carrying signs in support of democracy and those killed in previous protests.

One demonstrator told Reuters more security forces were out on Wednesday, with a resistance committee member saying they planned for the protests to be spread out to wear down authorities. 

“The coup forces are practising excessive repression and are encircling the revolutionaries’ marches in several areas,” said the Sudanese Professionals Association. “This was preceded by the deliberate interruption of voice and internet communications services.”

The violence comes as Sudan’s finance minister said it is “unrealistic” to go back to the transitional government that existed before the coup, The Associated Press reported.

“It is rather unrealistic to say, ‘Either we turn to October 23rd or 24th or we are not going to talk to you,’” he said. “There is a new reality, and we need to look into it.”

Negotiations are being held to have deposed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok lead a technocratic Cabinet to run day-to-day activities in Sudan, but the military is not willing to step out of power.