Sudan: Burhan denies the army was responsible for protesters deaths

Sudan coup leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan says he is committed to transferring power to civilian leadership.

Sudan’s army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has said he will not participate in any government that comes after a transitional period and denied that the army was responsible for the deaths of protesters rallying against the military takeover.

Nationwide anti-coup protests have taken place since the October 25 power grab by the army, but have been met by a deadly crackdown. Sudan’s army chief orders release of four ministers held in coupSudan closer to a power-sharing deal to reverse military coupCan the military coup in Sudan be reversed?

At least 14 demonstrators have been killed and about 300 wounded, according to the independent Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors.

“It is our pledge – a pledge we made to ourselves, the Sudanese people, and the international community – that we are committed to completing the democratic transition, holding elections on time, and committed to not stopping any political activity as long as it is peaceful, and within the bounds of the constitutional declaration and the parts that have not been suspended,” al-Burhan told agencies in comments broadcast on Sunday.

“We are committed to handing over power to a civilian government of national competency and we pledge to preserve the transition from any interference that can hinder it,” he continued.

Al-Burhan also denied the army was responsible for the deaths of protesters.

“The Sudanese army does not kill citizens, and there are investigation committees to reveal what happened,” he said.

The interview was broadcast as anti-coup rallies continued in the capital, Khartoum, and several other towns, ramping up the pressure against the military amid the continuing political crisis.

Dozens of teachers rallied against the army outside the education ministry in Khartoum.

According to the teachers’ union, at least 80 protesters were arrested in Khartoum on Sunday. There were no reports of casualties.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES