Fasting protesters defy military rule in massive Sudan marches

Protesters wave Sudanese flags, hold banners and chant slogans during a demonstration in front of the defence ministry in Khartoum, Sudan. April 18, 2019. (Reuters)

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Despite high temperatures, tear gas, and a Ramadan fast, tens of thousands of Sudanese protesters marched in the capital Khartoum and more in towns across the country on Wednesday, marking the third anniversary of the fall of former President Omar al-Bashir and rejecting the recent power grab by the generals that ousted him.

A 19-year-old protester was shot and killed by security forces in the Sharg al-Nil area of Bahri, across the Nile from Khartoum, medics said, who added that two hospitals that treat protesters were raided on Wednesday.

The protests, led by neighbourhood resistance committees, comes during the sixth month of a campaign against an Oct. 25 military coup. Since then, the military has not appointed a prime minister while the economy has deteriorated amid a suspension of foreign aid.

Protesters, most of them fasting for Ramadan, braved the harsh sun and temperatures around 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Some in Omdurman were seen splashing themselves with water from hoses from homes along the protest route.

"Our friends are martyrs, so we will defeat the soldiers while fasting, we will continue without tiring on the path of freedom and justice," said Ahmed Abdallah, a 23-year-old college student, sweating under the sun.

At least 94 people have been killed by security forces and thousands injured in crackdowns on protests, medics say.

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