Middle East

Sudan's military seeks to keep upper hand despite protests

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this Tuesday, April 23, 2019, photo, Sudanese protesters crowd a train in the capital Khartoum. Sudanese activists were holding nationwide protests on Tuesday to press the military to hand over power to a civilian authority after the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir earlier this month.(AP Photo)

In this Tuesday, April 23, 2019, photo, Sudanese protesters rally in the capital Khartoum. Sudanese activists were holding nationwide protests on Tuesday to press the military to hand over power to a civilian authority after the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir earlier this month.(AP Photo)

Sudan's military, which ousted President Omar al-Bashir after months of protests against his 30-year rule, says it intends to keep the upper hand during the country's transitional period to civilian rule.

The announcement is expected to raise tensions with the protesters, who demand immediate handover of power.

The Sudanese Professionals Association, which is spearheading the protests, said Friday the crowds will stay in the streets until all their demands are met.

Shams al-Deen al-Kabashi, the spokesman for the military council, said late Thursday that the military will "maintain sovereign powers" while the Cabinet would be in the hands of civilians.

The protesters insist the country should be led by a "civilian sovereign" council with "limited military representation" during the transitional period.

The army toppled and arrested al-Bashir on April 11.