Sudan: soldiers arrested over protester deaths

August 2, 2019
| Report Focus News

Sudan’s ruling generals have announced the arrest of two more members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – a controversial paramilitary force – in connection with the shooting dead of teenage protesters in the city of El-Obeid on Monday.

The spokesman of the Transitional Military Council (TMC), Gen Shams El Dine Kabbashi, said a total of nine RSF soldiers had been detained:

“The day before yesterday, seven members of the Rapid Support Forces were arrested. They were immediately discharged from military service and they were presented to judicial authorities for a trial through civilian legal proceedings. Yesterday, two RSF soldiers were also arrested and the same proceedings were taken where they were discharged and delivered to the civilian authorities.”

“We believe that these steps represent a good start to stop the operations that occurred causing the loss of life. We do not want any of our sons to be susceptible to anything similar to what happened, whether at the general command, El-Obeid or Ombada.”

The TMC suspended indefinitely all lessons in school’s nationwide after mass demonstrations broke out after Monday’s shooting.

Talks between the military and the opposition intended to finalise a draft constitution are due to resume later.