KHARTOUM: Sudan’s defense minister said on Monday that security forces would not permit attempts to divide them, according to comments carried by state news agency SUNA.
Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf, who is also Sudan’s first vice president, said the armed forces appreciated the reasons for protests against President Omar Al-Bashir’s rule but would not allow a breakdown of security.
Sudanese soldiers stepped in to protect demonstrators and stopped security forces from attempting to break up protest, protesters and witnesses said.
Sudanese security forces on Monday attempted to break up a protest by thousands of anti-government demonstrators camped outside the defense ministry in central Khartoum, witnesses said.
They said security forces on pickup trucks fired tear gas as they charged toward the sit-in. No further details were immediately available.
The demonstrators have camped for two nights outside the compound, part of an attempt to increase pressure on President Omar Al-Bashir to step down after nearly 30 years in office.
Previous attempts by security forces failed to disperse the protesters.
Public anger against bread and cash shortages exploded into demonstrations in December but quickly turned against Bashir’s administration.
Bashir has acknowledged that the protesters have legitimate demands but said that the way to address these demands is through peaceful means and the ballot box.
