Sudan's ruling junta bans gatherings in Khartoum marking anniversary of Bashir's ouster

Sudan's ruling junta on Sunday banned gatherings in the centre of the capital Khartoum on the eve of planned demonstrations commemorating the ouster of former dictator Oman al-Bashir, an announcement reported by state-run Sudanese News Agency said.

"No gatherings are permitted in the central Khartoum area, from the railway in the south to the General Command in the east and the Nile Street in the north," the Khartoum State Security Committee said, adding that its forces "will carry out its duties" towards any processions or gatherings.

On Sunday, the Sudanese Resistance Committee called for a demonstration, dubbed "April 11 Million", marking the date on which the former President Omar Al-Bashir was ousted.

The group, which has organised popular protests calling for civilian rule, asked demonstrators to mark the anniversary of the revolution with rallies, but to "stay away from hospitals and educational institutions".

Security forces have brutally suppressed pro-democracy protests since Sudan's military general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan led a coup against former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's government on 25 October.

Key roads and bridges leading into the capital are often sealed off.

The coup's deadly crackdown on activists has killed at least 93 people and injured thousands of others since the coup, according to the independent Central Committee of Sudan Doctors.

In addition to the political instability throughout Sudan, the country is grappling with a severe economic crisis.