Thousands rally against former ruling party in Sudan

Thousands of Sudanese have rallied in several cities, including the capital Khartoum, urging the country's new authorities to dissolve the former ruling party of ousted leader Omar al-Bashir.

Crowds of men and women rallied in Khartoum, its twin city of Omdurman, Madani, al-Obeid, Port Sudan and in the town of Zalinge in war-torn Darfur, expressing their support for the new authorities who are tasked with the country's transition to a civilian rule.

Monday's gatherings also marked the October 21, 1964 uprising that had ousted the then military leader Ibrahim Abboud.

A key demand of the rally, called by the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) that spearheaded anti-Bashir demonstrations that led to his overthrow, was to hold accountable those responsible for a deadly raid on a sit-in near the Defense Ministry on June 3.

Late on Sunday, after the SPA called for the rally, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok named a commission to investigate the raid in which security forces killed dozens.

The number of victims has been disputed. Doctors linked to the opposition said nearly 130 were killed in the raid and ensuing violence. Officials have acknowledged 87 deaths.

The SPA welcomed the appointment of the commission, calling it "the first brick in the structure of a fair investigation and the revelation of the perpetrators of the crime."

The commission will be headed by human rights lawyer Nabil Adib. It will include senior security officers as well as other lawyers.

Protesters demanded a swift response in its investigation of the raid on the sit-in, which was a culmination of 16 weeks of protests that led to army officers turning against Bashir and replacing him with a military council.

SS