Sudan's protest leaders demand end of 'deep state'
Organisers of mass protests in Sudan have told the BBC they want
the full dismantling of the "deep state" left behind by ousted leader
Omar al-Bashir.
A
spokesman said leaders of the past regime should be put on trial.
Mr
Bashir was toppled by the army last week after 30 years in power and a military
council has pledged elections in two-years time.
But
protesters remain camped outside army HQ in the capital, Khartoum, demanding a
civilian administration.
Reports on Monday
said there had been efforts to disperse the sit-in but protesters joined hands
and troops stepped back from a confrontation.
The
crowd chanted "Freedom" and "Revolution", and appealed to
soldiers to protect them, witnesses said.
The
Sudanese Professionals' Association (SPA) which has spearheaded the protests,
urged supporters to foil any attempt to disperse the sit-in.
"We
hope that everyone will head immediately to the areas of the sit-in to protect
your revolution and your accomplishments," it said in a statement.
On Sunday the
transitional military council sought to appease protest leaders, telling them
that key figures from the former government had been arrested. It is not clear
who those officials are.
A
military spokesman also promised not to disperse protesters and said the
council was "ready to implement" whatever civilian government the
opposition parties agreed.
In
another development, 13 people were reportedly killed in an armed attack on
protesters in the troubled region of South Darfur over the weekend.
"Gunmen"
attacked the anti-government protest at a camp for displaced people about 17km
(10 miles) east of the regional capital, Nyala, according to the privately
owned Darfur 24 news website.
Mr
Bashir has been indicted on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity
in Darfur by the International Criminal Court. He denies any wrongdoing.