The crackdown on the demonstration that took place in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, last Thursday, has created confusion in the country’s political scene. However, the constitutional document stipulates that everyone has the right to freedom of protest.
The suppression of protesters constitutes danger and threat to the Glorious December revolution, more than the danger posed by the deep state.
Last Thursday, the Federal Ministry of Health in Sudan announced that 51 people had been injured due to the use of excessive force by the police during the disperse of thousands of protesters who had gathered in the vicinity of the presidential palace. The demonstrators were protesting against the retiring of army officers over their supportive stance to protesters during December revolution.
Protest is a legitimate right
In a statement to Darfur 24, lieutenant General Siddiq Ismail, confirmed that demonstrations and marches are legitimate right stipulated in the constitutional document, but it is the law that regulates this practice, and this task is assigned to the police under the Criminal Procedure Law, and the agreed law obligates those who wish organize any gathering, march, or protest must apply to the police for permission, and this is not for the purpose of restricting freedoms or right, but it is rather for the purpose of conducting thing in accordance with the law, so as to avoid occurrence of conflict and frictions .
Siddiq Ismail said the protest organizers refused to get permission from the police, based on the constitutional declaration, their behavior was inconsistent with the law. However, the police went out to organize and protect the procession and the vehicle until it reached vicinity of the Republican Palace.
The police intervened to prevent citizens from attacking the palace that being guarded by the Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which have the right to counter any sabotage attempt by using the force it deems appropriate.
Moreover, police forces were exposed to a blatant attack from the citizens on their property and lives. However, more than 60 members of the police from all ranks were injured while they were organizing the march.
According to the police General, police did what they should do in accordance with the law, and in the presence of the Public Prosecution at the scene . The senior police officer said, the police force, did not use anything other than the force that the law permitted , and did not use any live ammunition and did not fire at anyone, despite the severity of the attack they had faced from the protesters , stressing that The police performed their duty, and went on to say: If there is any abuse, this matter is governed by law, but not by targeting, abusing, and defaming the police.
The setback
The forces for Freedom and Change FFC said, last Thursday, that the police forces exercised a repressive approach and used excessive force against the peaceful revolutionaries during the demostration.
The FFC considered police behavior in attacking the revolutionaries as a setback for the revolution, calling on the Council of Ministers to urgently question the Minister of the Interior and the Director of the Police.
FFC reminded the institutions of the transitional authority to pay attention to the danger facing the country, warning that infiltrators might take advantages of such opportunities to abort the glorious December Revolution .
On the other hand, the Sudanese Professionals Association SPA called for the dismissal of the Minister of the Interior and the Director General of the Police, whereby the constitutional document and the Police Law, allow Prime Minster to immediate dismiss government leaders who behave in such a way.
The democratic transformation
For his part , the military expert Major General Abdul Rahman Arbab, speaking to Darfur 24, pointed out that after thirty years of undemocratic rule by the ousted salvation government, the democratic rule comes, in a time when the current young generations is salivating for democratic government.
Abdul Rahman said the Youth have not practiced or seen democratic rule in their entire life time, so at times they commit a lot of mistake when it comes to exercising democracy rule.
“They learned democratic rule in theory, when it comes to implementation, they will make big mistakes, and now young people began to apply it, but the application will contain errors that must be addressed, it is everyone’s right to protest and express on the condition that it does not cause sabotage, with time and space determined by the police in order to preserve the property and lives of citizens” added Major General Abdul Rahman Arbab.
“Demanding the dismissal of the Minister of Interior, the Director General of the Police, and the Director of the Khartoum State Police, is politically motivated claim, and the investigation will determine who will be dismissed” Concluded Arbab.