In Khartoum, Sudan, one Sudanese citizen was killed and 92 others were injured yesterday, Sunday 20 February, after security forces’ attacked demonstrators calling for civilian rule and the release of political detainees.
According to a statement by the Sudanese Doctors Committee (SDA), Faisal Abdul Rahman was killed “as a result of being shot by the security forces”, in Bahri city, north of the capital Khartoum.
Abdul Rahman, 51 years-old, was struck in the chest by a live bullet whilst standing on the balcony of a hospital. The bullet was fired by Sudanese security forces suppressing nearby demonstrations.
The SDA stated that Abdul Rahman was “a patient at Khartoum North Hospital recovering after surgery. He went to the balcony after the ward became cramped, after tear gas was fired. He was shot in the chest with a live bullet, after which he died.”
With Abdul Rahman’s death, the death toll since 25 October has risen to 82.
In another statement, the Sudanese Doctors Committee reported that the number of injuries sustained by protestors during Sunday’s “million person” demonstration stands at 92, in Khartoum and the surrounding cities alone.
This morning, the committee reported that of those 92, two involved live bullet wounds, with 23 cases of head injury due to the use of gas canisters.
The committee reported “71 injuries in Khartoum, 18 injuries in Bahri city, north of Khartoum, and 3 injuries in Omdurman city, west of the capital.”
Since 25 October last year, Sudan has suffered a deep crisis, after the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, dissolved the Sovereign Council and declared a state of emergency. Numerous ministers and governors were dismissed, and a number of party leaders and officials were arrested. Protests began immediately, in response to what many view as a “military coup”.