Thousands of demonstrators built a human blockade near al-Joda hospital in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, on December 30 to block roadways in front of police and security vehicles, preventing them from reaching the building, where dozens of those injured during previous protests were being treated.
The rest of the protesters parked their cars in the middle of the road and left a little place for two-wheelers vehicles.
These new techniques have been refined over Sudan’s three-year democratic battle. Demonstrators are now utilising them against last year’s military coup, which threw the country’s two-year transition to civilian administration into chaos.
Security forces are using new tactics like blocking roads with huge containers, barbed wire, and cement blast barriers, as well as throwing foul water on them and several other harsh methods. In contrast, demonstrators have retailed with their tactics, including training on throwing tear gas canisters back.
Security forces now found a new method to attack hospitals, ambulances, and street clinics to stop citizens from taking treatment.
Musab Ahmed, a field committee member, standing outside al-Joda hospital, told Middle East Eye that demonstrators have been stopping roads leading to the hospital to safeguard it and the medical staff and let the wounded be treated.
“We have all witnessed security forces use violence, including raids, against hospitals in various districts, particularly in Omdurman [Khatoum’s twin city over the Nile]. Therefore we are glad that our people are guarding them against brutal attacks,” he said.
More than a thousand people protested near the presidential palace last Thursday, December 29. They did the protest, cut the telephone or internet wires, and closed all main roads and bridges.
According to the Central Committee of the Sudanese doctors, atleast five people were dead in this protest. Hundred of people were injured in Omdurman as opposition committees called for a new million-man march.
Medical resources confirmed that security forces stormed the 40th street clinics.
The Sudanese Journalists Network claimed in a statement on Thursday that security agents raided the offices of regional and foreign news organisations, including Al Arabiya, Skynews and El Sharq