Sudan protests continue despite return to power of ousted PM

dpa Khartoum The reinstatement of Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok on Sunday showed no sign of easing tensions in the country, as the organizers of ...

dpaKhartoumThe reinstatement of Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok on Sunday showed no sign of easing tensions in the country, as the organizers of mass protests in Khartoum over the past few weeks called for fresh demonstrations on Monday.Following an agreement reached on Sunday between Hamdok and the country’s military chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to establish a transitional government, angry demonstrators took to the streets on Sunday evening until the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.Another protest was called for Monday afternoon. Opponents of the new interim government accused Hamdok of betrayal.“We will put our country back on the right track,” Hamdok said on Sunday after signing the agreement, adding that the deal would clear the way for Sudan’s return to democracy.According to the agreement, Hamdok will be allowed to form a civilian cabinet, while al-Burhan will lead the Sovereign Council, a body that will include representatives of the military. Together they will jointly run the country, as was the case before the coup in which al-Burhan dissolved the government and declared a state of emergency.In recent weeks, there have been widespread protests by thousands of Sudanese demanding democracy and a civilian government.