The ongoing sit-in around the army headquarters in the Sudanese capital Khartoum has turned bloodier after three protesters died, bringing the death toll from four days of angry demonstrations to eight.
Medical sources say 90 others have been injured in the ensuing crackdown by pro-government security forces trying to disperse protesters camped at the Sudanese army headquarters.
Witnesses speak of running battles between protesters and security forces who were seen being chased away by members of the armed forces ostensibly to protect unarmed civilians joining in the demonstration.
Tens of thousands continue to camp near the army headquarters for a fourth consecutive day Tuesday in a bid to convince the military to force President Omar al-Bashir to resign.
Bashir, 75 has been in power since a military coup in 1989.
He faces the biggest protest movement yet since Sudan descended into nationwide protests last December over the rising price of foodstuffs and morphed into demands for his departure.
The authorities have since closed the bridges straddling the three districts making up Khartoum in a desperate bid to stem the swelling tide of protesters storming the streets of the capital.
The sit-in was called by the Sudanese Professional Association.
Meanwhile Information minister, Hassun Asmail has accused the opposition of stoking up the protest and warned them against dragging the country to ‘civil war’.
“They are not responding to the government’s call for dialogue” Asmail said.
In response, opposition parties have demanded the government to listen to the popular will and hand over power to the people of Sudan who have suffered long enough under Bashir’s rule and deserve a reprieve from it after thirty years.
AR\as\APA