KHARTOUM: Sudanese security forces fired tear gas on Tuesday as they confronted thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators in the capital Khartoum.

Protesters chanted “No to military rule” as they marched toward the presidential palace, denouncing a coup last year led by army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan that derailed a transition to civilian rule.

Burhan seized power in October 2021 and arrested civilian leaders appointed following the 2019 ouster of long-time autocrat Omar Bashir, plunging Sudan into a political and economic crisis.

“We will not stop until the military power is toppled and replaced with a civilian government,” said protester Hadia Mohammed.

“We will not leave the streets until we achieve the goals of the revolution — liberty, peace and justice,” said Samer Omar, another activist, draped in a Sudanese flag and wearing a yellow helmet for protection.

Eyewitnesses said thousands also demonstrated in the city of Wad Madani, south of Khartoum, and Gedaref in the east.

Security forces have cracked down on near-weekly protests since the 2021 coup, resulting in at least 119 deaths, according to pro-democracy medics.

Since the military power grab, activists have warned that several Bashir-era loyalists had been appointed to official positions, including in the judiciary, which is currently trying the former dictator.

AFP