Concerned about escalating violence in Sudan, Pope Francis on Sunday made an appeal for peace in the country.
While speaking during the Pentecost Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Francis appealed for peace and resumption of dialogue between the military and protest leaders in the African country, reported Africa News.
“In these days, the news coming from Sudan is causing pain and concern,” Pope said adding, “Let’s pray for these people to stop the violence and to search for the common good through dialogue.”
The call for peace comes after the Sudanese security force attacked pro-democracy protesters in Khartoum in a bid to break up the agitation last week. The clashes killed over 100 people, according to opposition groups. But the government has put the death toll at 61.
The Transitional Military Council (TMC) has been in power after ousting Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir in a coup this April. The demonstrators have since continued with the protests demanding the army to hand over the government charge to civilians.
After the brutal attack, Sudan’s pro-military movement called for a nationwide civil disobedience movement in the country on Sunday. The strike call was made as security forces arrested several opposition leaders following an overnight raid in the capital on Saturday.
The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) said that the movement would end only when the ruling generals “transfer power to civil transitional authority in accordance with the Declaration of Freedom and Change (DFC).”
Security operation on Sunday is said to have claimed four lives in and around Khartoum.
