Sudanese maintain protests to demand civilian rule

<p>By Abdel Abdelrheem</p> <p><br></p> <p>KHARTOUM (AA) – Thousands of people continued to protest on Friday outside army headquarters in capital Khartoum to demand that Sudan’s ruling Military Transitional Council (MTC) hand over power to a civilian authority.</p> <p><br></p> <p>For the fourth consecutive week, demonstrators performed Friday prayers in Khartoum’s Al-Itisam Square, where preachers hailed the “revolution” and reiterated calls for “freedom, peace and justice”.</p> <p><br></p> <p>On April 11, the Sudanese army announced the “removal” of President Omar al-Bashir following months of popular protests against his 30-year rule.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The MTC is now overseeing a two-year post-Bashir “transitional period” during which it has pledged to hold free presidential elections.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Demonstrators, however, have remained on the streets to demand that the MTC hand over power — at the earliest possible date — to an elected civilian authority.</p> <p><br></p> <p>* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat</p>