Dozens of Casualties Reported at Protests against Military Rule in Sudan

Eight people were reported dead when large crowds marched through Sudan’s streets during a communications blackout to protest the country’s military administration, which seized power eight months ago.

Security forces used live bullets on protests in Omdurman, Sudan’s twin city to Khartoum.

Medical sources affirmed the new deaths bring the total number of protesters that have died since an Oct. 25 military takeover to 103.

Videos showing thousands of people waving Sudanese flags and running under clouds of tear gas were posted on social media.

 Long-term internet outages have been reported in an apparent attempt to stymie the protest movement.

Commenting on the events, the United Nations expressed “grave concern about the continued use of excessive force and live ammunition by the government security forces in Sudan against demonstrators.”

“We’re very, very much gravely concerned by the continued use of excessive force by the government security forces in Sudan as they respond to protests and especially what we’ve seen today,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York.

For its part, Global Rights Watch (GRW) condemns the excessive use of force by the Sudanese security forces and deeply regrets the killing and injury of dozens of civilians who peacefully demonstrated for freedom and democracy.

 GRW further calls for an urgent investigation into the bloody events and to hold those responsible fully accountable.