Sudanese demonstrators chant slogans as they participate in anti-government protests in Khartoum
Photo credit: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters A prominent African cardinal has called for restraint in Sudan, as the ruling junta cracks down on peaceful protesters in the capital city, Khartoum.
Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria, said African religious leaders rejected the brutal response to the protests. He said the use of live ammunition, attacks on medical centres and arrests of activists were unacceptable.
Protestors
“We firmly reject and condemn the response of the transitional government to the peaceful protesters,” Cardinal Onaiyekan said in an African Council of Religious Leaders statement. He co-chairs the group with Uganda’s top Muslim leader, Sheikh Shaban Mubbaje. “We call upon the military apparatus in Sudan to use restraint and halt attacks on medical centres and further allow safe access and passage to all health services.”
Since June 3, tensions have escalated in the northeast African country, after security forces violently dispersed hundreds of peaceful protesters in Khartoum. The protesters had camped outside the army headquarters for one week, demanding the departure of the ruling junta.