By John Ikani
Internet access has been cut in Sudan ahead of nationwide protests on Thursday to press for civilian rule.
Internet monitoring organisation Netblocks reports that internet access was disrupted across the country at 08:00 local time (06:00GMT).
The protesters have been using social media platforms to organise.
⚠️ Confirmed: Real-time network data show internet access has been disrupted across #Sudan after 8 am local time, leaving users offline amid anti-junta protests and renewed calls for a civilian-led government; incident ongoing #June30March 📵
📰 Report: https://t.co/NMIh2ROyPI pic.twitter.com/bpIAvxXqwC
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) June 30, 2022
On Wednesday, a protester was killed during anti-military demonstrations in Khartoum Bahri, after security forces used excessive force.
“A martyr, who was not identified, has died after he was shot in the chest by the forces of darkness”, the Central Council of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) said in a statement on Facebook.
The doctors said that the security forces “used excessive force, thinking they could silence the growing revolution”.
The CCSD said “this brings the death toll to 103”, as a result of the crackdown against the pro-democracy demonstrations prompted by the last October’s military coup.
Activists have planned another nationwide protest for Thursday to press for civilian rule.
Security forces are reported to have closed major bridges linking the capital, Khartoum, to the twin cities of Omdurman and Bahri ahead of the protests.
