On Saturday, demonstrators marched through Khartum with signs reading “No to foreign meddling” and “Volker out,” in reference to Volker Perthes, the UN envoy to Khartoum (Nov 12).
For the second occasion in two weeks, tens of thousands of Sudanese Islamists rallied on Saturday to protest what they perceive as foreign “intervention” in domestic matters. They oppose the UN’s efforts to arbitrate between the military junta in Sudan and its civilian authorities in the wake of general Abdel Fattah al-coup Burhan’s last year.
“Any compromise will bring this country into a real crisis and we, the youth of Sudan, do not want these parties and their agreements”, protestor Mohammed warned.
“If a government is supposed to emerge, it should be the result of elections.”
“We will take to the streets, to the squares, every day, in every city, in every corner to protect this country, to preserve its unity and its security. No to (foreign) agents!”, Luay exclaimed.
The Sudanese Bar Association’s proposal for a transitional constitution, which aims to outlaw actions by the National Congress Party, the Islamist movement of former leader al-Bashir, inflamed the protesters as well.
Last week, the army chief issued a warning to Islamists, stating: “The army does not belong to any party.”
His warning came a week after a similar march by 3,000 Islamists in front of the UN building.
It happens despite recurring allegations from civil factions that the army was working with the Islamists, who were just reappointed to positions of authority.
