Under the title "Protests of Anger in Sudan... Calls to Preserve Freedom of Expression," Al-Arabiya reported that protests rejecting the decisions of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, are expected to take place today, Saturday, in Sudan's capital, Khartoum. These decisions, announced on October 25, included dissolving the Sovereign and Ministerial Councils and declaring a state of emergency. The "Resistance Committees in Khartoum" called for demonstrations under the banner "Million Man March for Anger" to overthrow the military council, just two days after Burhan's announcement of a new Sovereign Council, coinciding with news about Hind Abia Kadouf's withdrawal from the position of the next Prime Minister due to pressure, according to informed sources for Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath. Meanwhile, authorities announced the closure of all bridges in Khartoum state except for three after noon today, as reported by state television last night.
**Protest Calls**
It is noteworthy that the first calls for protests were launched by the Resistance Committees in Khartoum on November 8, 2021, which were subsequently supported by the Professional Association on the same day, announcing an escalatory schedule. This schedule began on Tuesday with processions, protests, and the closure of several roads in Khartoum, culminating in what is termed the "Million Man March to Overthrow the Military Council," set to take place today.
**Safety of Protesters**
Simultaneously, the United States and the European Union urged Sudanese authorities to uphold the right to peaceful protests, protect freedom of expression, and ensure the safety of protesters. UN envoy Volker Perthes reiterated calls for security forces to exercise maximum restraint and respect the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. Additionally, the military was called to take further actions to de-escalate tensions and build trust, including restoring full freedom to the dismissed Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, releasing political detainees, reinstating internet services, and refraining from further unilateral actions contradicting the spirit of the transitional partnership.
**International Condemnation of the Formation of the Sovereign Council**
These calls followed condemnations from the United States and several European countries yesterday, Friday, regarding the establishment of a new transitional Sovereign Council from which representatives of the "Forces of Freedom and Change" alliance—demanding a transfer of power to civilians—were excluded. Washington and these European nations also called for Hamdok's return to power. Notably, the leader of the Sudanese army announced the formation of a new transitional Sovereign Council on Thursday, excluding four representatives from the Forces of Freedom and Change, the civilian coalition that emerged from the uprising that ousted Omar al-Bashir in 2019, as reported by state television. The formation of the council came weeks after the armed forces announced the dissolution of the government and previous council on October 25, and the arrest of several activists and civilian leaders, while confirming Hamdok's house arrest, which has been repeatedly denied by Burhan.
