At least 79 protesters have been killed by security forces in the three months that followed the military coup in Sudan. The army’s General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan seized power against the transitional government on October 25, 2021. Since then, demonstrators say that security forces have been targeting them brutally and personally. Our Observer told us more.
Ahmed (not his real name) has been taking part in Sudan’s anti-coup protests. He told us about some of the tactics that security forces have been using to quash the unrest.
The repression takes many forms. Live bullets aimed directly at protesters. Most of the martyrs were hit in the head, chest or other sensitive areas.
The worst thing – and it’s the first time that we’ve seen this – is the use of the DShK [a heavy machine gun mounted on the back of a pick-up].
Security forces have denied this, but videos shared on social networks have shown people in military uniforms shooting with this weapon.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2PTo-gTywa
The sounds of security forces’ gunfire rings out in this video filmed the night of January 24 in front of the Royal Care Hospital in Khartoum, where a number of wounded protesters were being treated.
The military and police have also been using tear gas against protesters, but instead of launching tear gas grenades to spread gas across protests, they have been shooting the canisters directly at people, causing head injuries.
Finally, security forces have been documented using their vehicles to run over protesters:
They use their vehicles to crush them. There have been several terrible scenes where security forces run over protesters with their vehicles. Several protesters have been injured.
This video, posted on Facebook on January 24, shows an armoured police vehicle driving into a small group of protesters. One of the protesters collapses after being hit, but finally manages to rise and flee with the help of his friends.
Although the violence continues, al-Burhan recently announced the nomination of a government. He named a number of senior officials to replace civilian ministers, most of whom were arrested during the coup.
