Sudanese protest leaders on Friday announced plans to unveil a civilian body to take over from the ruling military council as huge crowds demonstrated outside army headquarters.
The military council, which took power after ousting long-time leader Omar al-Bashir on April 11, has so far resisted calls from protesters to quickly make way for a civilian adminstration.
The Sudanese Professionals Association, which has been spearheading the protests, said in a statement that it would name members of the council at a news conference at 1700 GMT on Sunday outside the army complex, to which foreign diplomats are also invited.
“We are demanding that this civilian council, which will have representatives of the army, replace the military council,” Ahmed al-Rabia, a leader of the umbrella group of unions for doctors, engineers and teachers, told AFP.
Friday marked four months to the day when first protest was triggered in response to a government decision to triple the price of bread.
The protests soon escalated into widespread rallies demanding Bashir’s departure.
Access roads were packed, with crowds flocking to the huge square outside army headquarters to offer the weekly Muslim prayers.
“This government should be a representative of all the people and their aspirations,” said prominent cleric Sheikh Matter Younis as he addressed thousands of protesters.
“It should include all Sudanese people and shouldn’t exclude anyone.”
Braving scorching heat, protesters kept on chanting, dancing and singing to rhythmic African and Arabic tunes.
Women handed out traditional Sudanese sweet and sour juice to protesters, encouraging them to press on with their demonstration.
“We will keep distributing juice for free even if we are losing money,” said Neserine Hassan, 28.
– ‘He is a criminal’ –
Protester Yasser Dahab said all who had committed crimes against the Sudanese people be put on trial.
He said he wanted to see a civilian council with a prime minister and a government led by technocrats.
“This government can then prepare for free elections in two years with participation from all parties,” Dahab told AFP.
