Sudan's pro-democracy groups call for a mass protest against the military coup

Sudan's primary civilian political coalition dismissed any dialogue with the military on Wednesday, standing firm on its stance at its first press meet since the military coup by General Abdel al-Burhan. The Sudanese people have called for a mass demonstration on Saturday. 

As per the statement read by representative Alwathiq Elbereir at the press conference, the Forces of Freedom and Change, which had marked a 2019 power-sharing deal with the army after the ouster of Omar al-Bashir, rejected the coup.

The alliance stated it upheld PM Abdalla Hamdok, who's currently under house arrest and joined hands with him in demanding a reverse to pre-coup conditions.

However, protests lately were more modest than those after the coup; the central Khartoum remained much calmer on Wednesday than before the army takeover. Schools were shut, but few shops were open and doing business.

Intensifying the city's burdens is the economic crisis. For example, the cost of daily staples, bread, sugar and milk have risen as Sudan tussles with inflation rates of around 387%. 

"The overthrow doesn't address the military establishment," the representative added, maintaining that the alliance would not acknowledge the return of Burhan as the head of state again.

A few civilian lawmakers and authorities were captured following the overthrow, and Elbereir stated they were confronting pressures risking their lives. 

Intervention efforts since the takeover have slowed down; neither had decided on the head of state nor a cabinet.

Burhan is feeling the squeeze from the international community to reverse his stance. Moreover, the U.N.Security Council will be advised on Sudan by special envoy Volker Perthes during a closed-door conference on Thursday, representatives stated. However, Burhan has indicated that he is committed and looking forward to democratic change and elections in July 2023.