Sudanese protesters criticize military for suspending talks

Protesters walk towards the sitin protest outside the Sudanese military headquarters, in Khartoum, Sudan, Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Sudanese protesters say security agents loyal to ousted President Omar al-Bashir attacked their sit-ins overnight, setting off clashes that left six people dead, including an army officer, and heightened tensions as the opposition holds talks with the ruling military council. Both the protesters and the transitional military council say the violence was instigated by al-Bashir loyalists from within the security forces. (AP Photo)

A protester takes a rest in a street leading to the sitin outside the Sudanese military headquarters, in Khartoum, Sudan, Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Sudanese protesters say security agents loyal to ousted President Omar al-Bashir attacked their sit-ins overnight, setting off clashes that left six people dead, including an army officer, and heightened tensions as the opposition holds talks with the ruling military council. Both the protesters and the transitional military council say the violence was instigated by al-Bashir loyalists from within the security forces. (AP Photo)

Sudanese opposition leaders behind protests that drove President Omar al-Bashir from power last month are criticizing the ruling military council for unilaterally suspending negotiations with their representatives over a peaceful transfer of power to civilian rule.

The Sudanese Professionals Association, which has spearheaded the protests since December, said in a statement on Thursday the suspension was "unfortunate" and doesn't "respect the progress reached during negotiations."

The suspension came after the military council and the protesters announced earlier on Wednesday they had made significant progress in their talks.

But then, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the head of the military council which has been in charge since al-Bashir's ouster, announced that negotiations were halted temporarily and accused the protesters of trying to instigate violence at their sit-in outside the military headquarters in Khartoum.