Introduction and Context
Since the uprising that toppled Omar al-Bashir in 2019, Sudanese citizens have continued to demand democracy, justice, and civilian rule. However, these calls have been repeatedly met with brutality from security forces. Peaceful protesters, including students, women, and professionals, have been subjected to live ammunition, tear gas, and mass arrests.

The military coup of October 2021 intensified repression, as security forces sought to quell resistance and reassert control. The violence against protesters highlights the military’s unwillingness to share power and underscores the perilous state of Sudan’s democratic aspirations.

This article examines the methods of repression, the experiences of protesters, and the wider consequences for Sudan’s transition.


Crackdowns on Peaceful Demonstrations
Sudanese protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, yet authorities have responded with excessive force. Demonstrations in Khartoum, Omdurman, and other cities have been dispersed with live bullets, rubber-coated projectiles, and heavy use of tear gas.

Security forces have also blocked ambulances from reaching the wounded, raided hospitals, and harassed medical personnel. Journalists covering the protests have been beaten or detained, part of a wider effort to silence reporting on state violence.

The June 2019 massacre, when security forces killed over a hundred protesters at a sit-in in Khartoum, remains a symbol of the military’s brutality. Yet similar tactics continue to this day, with impunity for perpetrators.


Human Rights Abuses and Arbitrary Detentions
Protesters who survive the crackdowns often face arbitrary detention. Security services, including the notorious General Intelligence Service, operate detention centres where torture, sexual violence, and ill-treatment are reported. Many detainees are held without charge or access to lawyers.

Women and youth activists face particular risks. Female protesters have reported sexual assault by security forces, intended to intimidate and silence their participation. Youth leaders, who play a central role in grassroots mobilisation, are frequently targeted for arrest.

These abuses violate fundamental rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and bodily integrity, as enshrined in international law.


Consequences for Sudan’s Political Future
The brutal treatment of protesters has eroded trust between citizens and state institutions. Many Sudanese see the security forces not as protectors but as oppressors. This undermines any prospects for reconciliation or dialogue.

The repression has also deepened the country’s political crisis. Civilian groups refuse to negotiate under conditions of violence, while the military continues to tighten its grip. The absence of accountability for killings and torture fuels anger and prolongs instability.

Internationally, the crackdowns have drawn condemnation, but pressure has not translated into meaningful change on the ground. Without structural reform, the cycle of protest and repression is likely to continue.


Accountability, Reform, and Conclusion
The brutalisation of Sudanese protesters reflects systemic impunity. Genuine change will require:
- Accountability: independent investigations into killings, torture, and sexual violence, with prosecutions of perpetrators.
- Security reform: dismantling abusive units and establishing civilian oversight of the military and police.
- Protection of rights: guarantee the freedoms of assembly, expression, and press as essential to democratic transition.
- International solidarity: support Sudanese civil society, document abuses, and impose targeted sanctions on officials responsible for violence.

Until Sudan ends the cycle of repression, its people will continue to risk their lives in the streets for democracy. Their courage, met with brutality, is a testament to the resilience of a population determined to reclaim its future.