Sudan's army deployed thousands of troops across the capital Khartoum on Saturday to contain a rally of tens of thousands of people protesting against military rule and demanding that generals relinquish power, witnesses said.
In a bid to prevent co-ordination between the protesters, the military used coils of barbed wire, concrete barriers and shipping containers to seal off Nile bridges connecting Khartoum's three districts. The internet and telephone lines were also cut, people in the city said.
"Attempts to block out the abuses of the coup regime against our revolutionary people will ricochet, bring down the coupists and see to their eternal departure from the Sudanese scene," a union of doctors linked to the pro-democracy movement said after internet access was curtailed.
"We will continue to carefully monitor those abuses regardless of what the regime does," said the union, which has been meticulously tallying and verifying casualties of the political violence in Sudan since 2018.
The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said 178 people were injured during Saturday's protest, with eight caused by live bullets.
In separate statements, the committee said security forces entered Khartoum Hospital and Port Sudan Hospital.
Activists said security forces overnight detained several prominent activists and members of the Resistance Committees, the main force behind the organisation of anti-military rallies.
The arrests, the killing of protesters - nearly 50 since the October 25 coup - and the disruption of internet and telephone services hearken back to the methods used by the regime of dictator Omar Al Bashir during four months of street protests against his 29-year rule in 2018 and 2019.
The protests led to the military removing Al Bashir in April 2019.
On Saturday, the military also closed off roads leading to the Republican Palace and the armed forces' headquarters, witnesses said.
They used tear gas to disperse thousands who tried to reach the Republican palace.
The protesters chanted, danced and sang to the beat of drums and waved Sudanese flags.
"The people are stronger and going back is impossible," they chanted. "The people want to bring down the regime."
Deployed alongside troops on Saturday were members of the Rapid Support Forces, which was initially formed in the 2000s to fight anti-government rebels in the western region of Darfur, where the militiamen are alleged to have committed atrocities against civilians.
The militia's leader, Gen Mohamed Dagalo, is now the most powerful man in Sudan after Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, the army chief who led the October coup that derailed the country's democratic transition following Al Bashir's removal.
Saturday’s rallies increased pressure on the military to step aside two months to the day after Gen Al Burhan led his military takeover, dismissing the civilian-led government and declaring an indefinite state of emergency. But the military appears to stand steadfast in the face of the protests, more of which are planned for December 30.
Gen Al Burhan last month reinstated Abdalla Hamdok, the prime minister he dismissed when he seized power, but the move fuelled protests as activists and opposition politicians saw this as an attempt to camouflage direct military rule.
Mr Hamdok was branded a traitor by activists.
Saturday’s rallies happened six days after hundreds of thousands took to the streets in Khartoum and elsewhere in Sudan to demand a civilian government and for the military to quit politics.
Security forces used tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets and live rounds to disperse them.
At least two people were killed and about 300 were hurt on December 19. The two fatalities took to nearly 50 the number of protesters killed since the October 25 takeover.
There are allegations that at least eight female protesters were raped last Sunday by security forces.
The alleged rapes were strongly condemned by foreign powers, including the US and Britain, and led to calls for authorities to investigate.
There were similar allegations in June 2019 when security forces moved to break up a sit-in protest outside the military headquarters in Khartoum.
At least 100 protesters were killed then, with the bodies of some thrown into the Nile.
An investigation began shortly after the incident, with a six-month deadline to publish the findings.
Two years later, there has been no progress, amid speculation the military and its allied militia suspended the probe over concerns the findings could implicate the top brass.
Gen Al Burhan also said the killing of protesters since his October 25 takeover would be investigated, but has yet to give any details such as who will investigate or when the findings will be announced.
The US and the World Bank have suspended hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of aid to Sudan in response to the October 25 military takeover.
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE FIXTURES
Thursday, September 21
Al Dahfra v Sharjah (kick-off 5.35pm)
Al Wasl v Emirates (8.30pm)
Friday, September 22
Dibba v Al Jazira (5.25pm)
Al Nasr v Al Wahda (8.30pm)
Saturday, September 23
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Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
MATCH INFO
Norwich City 0 Southampton 3 (Ings 49', Armstrong 54', Redmond 79')
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Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
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- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')
Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')
Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)
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How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
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- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
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Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
