Doctors report deaths in Sudan mass protests

DPA Khartoum There were reports of deaths in the mass protests by the democracy movement in Sudan against the military rulers even as General Abdel Fattah...

DPAKhartoumThere were reports of deaths in the mass protests by the democracy movement in Sudan against the military rulers even as General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said he plans to appoint a new head of government within the coming week.According to the National Medical Committee, at least two civilians died on Saturday in the city of Omdurman after being shot by militiamen.The committee said on Twitter that the dead had gunshot wounds to the head and abdomen. A National Day of Resistance had been called for this Saturday following the coup in the north-east African country on Monday.Meanwhile, the democracy movement has intensified its pressure on the new military rulers through nationwide protests. There were reports on Saturday from the capital Khartoum, but also from the sister city Omdurman, of demonstrators loudly protesting against the new military rulers, unimpressed by a heavy military presence.Live images from the Al-Jazeera news channel showed crowds of people marching peacefully through the streets of the capital. TV stations such as Asharq News and Al-Arabiya also reported a strong turnout. Many bridges and traffic junctions were sealed off, they said. In a statement circulated via Facebook by the now deposed Ministry of Information, the military was suspected of wanting to provoke incidents in various parts of the country in order to use them as a pretext for the use of force.In recent days, there have been repeated protests by thousands of demonstrators. In view of interrupted internet and telephone connections, many Sudanese had tried to organise themselves through neighbourhood committees, leaflets or graffiti. Many professional associations are on general strike.General al-Burhan on Friday told Russian state agency Ria Novosti that he plans to appoint a new head of government within the coming week.A technocrat will soon be nominated, although a list of candidates has not yet been drawn up, he said, adding that the new head of government will then nominate a Cabinet.