Calls Soldiers Not Killing Citizens, Sudanese Military Commander: There Is An Investigation Committee To Reveal What Happened

Sudan's army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. (Wikimedia Commons/Kremlin.ru)

JAKARTA - Sudan's military chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said he would not participate in any government that comes after the transition period.

In addition, the senior general also denied that the army was responsible for the deaths of the demonstrators protesting against the military takeover.

National anti-coup protests have occurred since the army's October 25 seizure of power, however, have been met with a deadly crackdown. At least 14 demonstrators have been killed and around 300 injured, according to the independent Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors.

"This is our promise, the promise we make to ourselves, the Sudanese people and the international community, that we are committed to completing the democratic transition, holding elections in a timely manner, and committing not to stop any political activity as long as it is peaceful, within limits. -the limits of the constitutional declaration and the parts that have not been suspended," he told Al Jazeera in an interview as quoted Monday, November 8.

"We are committed to handing over power to a civilian government with national competence, we pledge to safeguard the transition from any interference that could hinder it," he continued.

Furthermore, General Al-Burhan also denied that the army was responsible for the protesters' deaths. He said the Sudanese military did not kill civilians.

"The Sudanese army did not kill citizens, and there is an investigative committee to uncover what happened," he said.

The interview was broadcast as anti-coup demonstrations continued in the capital, Khartoum and several other cities, increasing pressure on the military amid an ongoing political crisis.

Dozens of teachers rallied against soldiers outside the education ministry in Khartoum. According to the teachers' union, at least 80 protesters were arrested in Khartoum on Sunday. There are no reports of casualties.

Earlier on Sunday, Sudanese security forces fired tear gas at several anti-coup demonstrations, with protesters in several cities joining calls for civil disobedience for two days, as well as a strike campaign to protest last month's military takeover.

The call for civil disobedience was led by the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), a trade union that also played a role in the protests that led to the sacking of longtime strongman Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.

"The Sudanese people have rejected a military coup," SPA said, vowing "no negotiations, no partnership".

The SPA's call for civil disobedience was circulated via text message, to bypass the internet blackout since the putsch.

Hundreds of anti-coup protesters rallied in Khartoum, as well as in its sister city Omdurman, Wad Madni in the south and Atbara City in the north.

"Authority belongs to the people," they shouted and "no, no to military rule" as they demanded a civilian government.

"Protesters barricaded the streets, burned car tires, called for opposing military rule, and chanted that a civilian government is the people's choice," said Hoda Othman, who witnessed the protest in Omdurman.

To note, the military takeover of Sudan's government sparked international condemnation, including cuts in punitive aid and demands for an immediate return to civilian rule.

Nevertheless, General Al-Burhan insisted it was "not a coup" but a move to "improve the course of the transition".

Separately, on Sunday, a high-level Arab League delegation held separate talks with al-Burhan and the ousted civilian leader, PM Abdalla Hamdok, about the "importance of partnership between the military and civilians" and ways to "resolve disputes".

PM Hamdok, who is still under house arrest at his residence in Khartoum, has insisted on releasing government officials and politicians detained in connection with the coup.

He also wants guarantees the military will return to power-sharing arrangements before the coup, the official said. On Thursday, the military released four civilian members of the government but key officials are still being held.