Two people shot dead during huge protests against Sudan coup

Military forcesshotdeadtwopeopleduringnationwideprotestsinSudanon Saturday, adoctorscommittee said, as hundreds of thousands ofpeopledemanded the restoration of a civilian-led government after a militarycoup.

In Khartoum, security forces used tear gas and gunfire to try to disperse a huge crowd after protesters had been setting up a stage and discussing the possibility of a sit-in, said a Reuters witness.

The Central Committee ofSudaneseDoctorssaidtwoprotesters wereshotdeadby troops in the capital Khartoum's twin city of Omdurmanduringdemonstrations. It said 38peoplewere injured, including some by gunfire.

An eyewitness in Omdurman said they heard gunshots and sawpeoplebeing carried away bleeding from the direction of the parliament building.

A representative ofSudan's military was not immediately available to comment on the reports of deaths in one of the country's largest demonstrations.

Protesters carriedSudanese flags and chanted "Military rule can't be praised" and "This country is ours, and our government is civilian" as they marched in neighbourhoods across Khartoum.

Peoplealso took to the streets in cities in central, eastern, northern and westernSudan. Crowds swelled to the hundreds of thousands in Khartoum, said a Reuters witness.

"Thepeoplehave delivered their message, that retreat is impossible and power belongs to thepeople," said protester Haitham Mohamed.

The demonstrations marked the biggest challenge to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since he ousted Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's cabinet on Monday.

"This has been a miscalculation from the start and misunderstanding of the level of commitment, bravery, and concern the street has about the future ofSudan," said Jonas Horner of the International Crisis Group.

The United States and the World Bank have frozen assistance toSudan, where an economic crisis has seen shortages of food and medicine and where nearly a third of the population are in need of urgent humanitarian support.

Civilian-appointed cabinet ministers supported theprotestsin a statement, and said the military "will not find freeSudanese or true democratic revolutionary forces to be their partners in power."

In central Khartoum there was a heavy military deployment of armed troops that included the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Security forces had blocked roads leading to the defence ministry complex and the airport.

At least 13 protesters have been killed in clashes with security forces this week, raising fears of a full-blown crackdown.

In local neighbourhoods, protest groups blocked roads overnight with stones, bricks, tree branches and plastic pipes to try to keep the security forces out.

Neighbourhood resistance committees

Unlike in previousprotests, manypeoplecarried pictures of Hamdok, who remains popular despite an economic crisis that had worsened under his rule. "Hamdok is supported by thepeople. If Hamdok takes the country that's okay," said Mohamed, a member of a neighbourhood resistance committee.

With internet and phone lines restricted by the authorities, opponents of thecoupmobilised for the protest using fliers, SMS messages, graffiti, and neighbourhood rallies.

Neighbourhood-based resistance committees, active since the uprising againstdeposed President Omar al-Bashir that began in December 2018, have been central to organising despite the arrests of key politicians.

Protesters carried pictures of Burhan, his deputy General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and Bashir covered in red.

"Close a street, close a bridge, Burhan we're coming straight to you," they chanted.

Burhan has said he removed the cabinet to avert civil war after civilian politicians stoked hostility to the armed forces.

Hesays he is still committed to a democratic transition, including elections in July 2023.

"Rule is based on a combination of consent and coercion," saidSudanese analyst Magdi El Gizouli. "Burhan has no consent and is unable to coerce the multitudes on the street into submission."