Sudanese protest leaders raised the pressure on the country’s army rulers on Wednesday, threatening a general strike and calling for a million-strong march to demand a civilian government.
The military council that took power after veteran president Omar al-Bashir was ousted earlier this month meanwhile called the rally leaders for more talks.
Siddiq Farouk, a protest leader, told reporters the demonstrators were “preparing for a general strike” across the country if the army rulers refuse to hand power to a civilian administration.
He also said that a “million-strong march” is planned, confirming a call by the Sudanese Professionals Association, the group that launched protests against Bashir in December.
Ahmed al-Rabia, a senior SPA leader, said the group was calling on “a million (people to) march on Thursday”.
For the first time, Sudanese judges said they would join a sit-in outside army headquarters “to support change and for an independent judiciary”.
The demonstrations began in the central town of Atbara on December 19 against a decision by Bashir’s government to triple bread prices.
They swiftly turned into nationwide demonstrations against his rule and that of the military council that took his place.
The council, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since his predecessor quit after barely 24 hours in the post, says it has assumed power for a two-year transitional period.
The protesters suspended talks with the council on Sunday over its refusal to transfer power immediately.
The military council said it had invited the protest leaders to another meeting on Wednesday evening at the presidential palace.
Thousands have camped outside the military headquarters in central Khartoum since before Bashir was deposed, and have vowed not to leave the area until their demands have been met.
The protesters have found support in Washington, which has backed their call for civilian rule.
