Ramadan keeps Sudan protesters hungry for change (BBC)

In our series of letters from African journalists, Zeinab Mohammed Salih explains how Sudan’s protesters are managing to keep going during the Muslim fasting month.

More than a month since Sudan’s long-time leader Omar al-Bashir was arrested by the military, crowds are still camped out – day and night – in front of the army headquarters in the capital, Khartoum.

They feel the transitional military council is procrastinating about handing over power to civilian rule – and are determined that the energy of the sit-in is not diminished during Ramadan, when Muslims do not eat or drink between dawn and sunset.

A buzz can be felt around the vigil site directly after sunset when people gather for Iftar, the meal when the fast is broken.

Moments after the prayer to break their fast, the protesters start chanting: “A civilian government or a revolution forever.”

Another chant that often follows is: “I’m not going back, I have demands.”

Thousands start arriving – some bring their own food and drinks from home, others cook for themselves in huge pans at the sit-in. Read more

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