Police break up protest in Darfur by force

Several protestors were wounded and others passed out as a result of use of force by police in the capital of South Darfur, Nyala, on Sunday.

High school students protested against the severe shortage of bread and unreasonable increase and scarcity of public transport for the second consecutive day in Nyala. The protestors claim that the deep state is to blame for these issues.

Police officers used excessive force including Dushka machine guns and tear gas to disperse protestors, who took to the streets in their hundreds. As a consequence, four students were wounded and some passed out due to the tear gas. As of yet, the identity and source of injury of those wounded is unknown.

The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) made a statement yesterday, calling for an immediate investigation to hold those responsible for violence against protestors in Nyala. They stressed that impunity cannot be tolerated under the newly formed civilian government. Further, the SPA asserted that many Sudanese people have sacrificed their lives for their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration; thus, this right must be safeguarded and neither the designated governor nor anyone else can violate this right.

Former violence

A protest rally was held in front of the offices of the public prosecutor in the South Darfur capital of Nyala on September 17, condemning the killing of three people and wounding several others in Mershing by regular forces during demonstrations on Sunday and Monday. These demonstrations protested against the killing of a student by Rapid Support Forces militiamen last week.

The protesters held banners yesterday that read “Mershing is bleeding”, “Retribution for the perpetrators” and “Justice for all and disarm the militias”.

The protesters held the government responsible for the killings. The acting governor of South Darfur announced that he would form a commission of inquiry into the Mershing events.

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