Sudanese took to the streets in the capital, Khartoum, and other cities on Tuesday to demand civil rule and women empowerment.
Thousands of protesters, who were met with tear gas, dedicated the marches to International Women’s Day while denouncing the October 25 military takeover.
They managed to breach the security cordon and approach the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum, defying the violence practiced by the security forces.
After the rally reached the presidential palace, security forces chased protesters back into nearby streets.
Women’s rights groups had called for the protest along with neighborhood resistance committees that have been organizing street demonstrations since the military took power last year.
“Women’s demands are the revolution’s demands,” said one protest banner.
Demonstrators also demanded the release of two teenagers who have been allegedly tortured in Sudan in connection with the killing of a police officer during pro-democracy protests in Khartoum.
Mohamed Adam, known as Tupac, 17, and Mohamed al-Fateh, 18, have been held without charge since January 15.
Their advocates said both have confessed under torture. They condemned the method of arresting them and called for their immediate trial or release.
One protester told Asharq Al-Awsat that the authorities framed Tupac to harm the revolution.
Another protester stressed that demonstrations will not stop until restoring civilian rule, ensuring no military intervention in the ruling process, and the trials of those who killed protesters during anti-coup rallies.
Meanwhile, the European Union hailed women’s role in the ongoing revolution.
In a letter on the occasion of International Women's Day, the EU said it is no exaggeration to say that women were one of the most important revolutionary forces on the ground in 2019.
“Not only did women protesters make a significant qualitative difference, but they were also key in shaping the image of the revolution, both in Sudan and abroad," the EU's letter said.
“Europeans look with admiration and respect at the role of women in change in Sudan, and we continue to encourage the Sudanese people, the civil society, the political leaders and authorities in Sudan to continue to empower women in Sudan as much as possible,” it added.
It recalled the famous photo of Alaa Salah, standing atop a car in a white toub, leading a crowd of protesters in a poetic and revolutionary chant. “It made her famous around the world and helped fuel the revolution which ousted the Bashir regime.”
“The photo symbolized the key role women played in the front lines of the pro-democracy protests, where they often outnumbered men,” it noted.
