Thousands took to the streets of the Sudanese capital on Wednesday for the anniversary of a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters by security forces a year ago, which killed dozens and wounded hundreds.
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok marked the anniversary with a pledge that those behind the crackdown would be brought to justice.
“I assure you all that achieving comprehensive justice and retribution for the souls of our hero martyrs, and for the wounded and missing, is an inevitable and irreversible step,” Mr Hamdok said in a televised speech.
Sulaima Shareef, a prominent activist in Khartoum, told The National that demonstrators were out across much of the capital and many carried portraits of the victims of the June crackdown.
They marched to demand that the culprits be brought to justice, Ms Shareef said.
She said some demonstrators gathered on streets named after victims to commemorate their memory.
Some protesters burned tyres, sending columns of black smoke into the sky above the city.
They also hung effigies of Rapid Support Forces soldiers, the paramilitary force many blame for the crackdown, AFP reported from Khartoum.
The military has consistently denied that the paramilitaries, who are now part of the armed forces, were involved in the dawn raid.
“It’s a difficult day," Ms Shareef said. "There is so much sadness. It’s a shock that many have yet to recover from."
At least 128 people were killed, hundreds wounded and scores still missing from the crackdown.
The death toll was arrived at by doctors linked to the protest movement. Official figures say at least 87 died.
The crackdown took place after months of deadly street protests against the 29-year rule of dictator Omar Al Bashir.
Those rallies prompted Sudan’s generals in April last year to remove the country’s leader, who was detained shortly after his removal and was later convicted of corruption.
The protesters stayed on the streets after his removal, continuing a sit-in outside the army headquarters to force the generals to hand power over to civilians.
They were attacked by men in military fatigues on June 3.
The military and the pro-democracy protest movement reached a power-sharing agreement last August, beginning more than three years of transitional rule before elections are held.
An official probe into the killings is under way to identify the culprits for the brutal attack that, according to activists, included sexual harassment, racially motivated abuse and rape.
Last July, an initial probe by Sudan's military officials and prosecutors showed some members of the RSF and other forces were involved in the killings.
Nabil Adib, the head of the investigation, described the events as a crime with political overtones involving many defendants.
"It may even involve powerful figures," Mr Adib said on Wednesday.
The investigation has been hampered by the coronavirus pandemic that has so far infected more than 5,000 people and killed about 300 in Sudan, he said.
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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
