Tens of thousands have taken to the streets of Khartoum in a show of support for Sudan’s bumpy transition to democratic rule.
The rally on Thursday came amid rising tension between the powerful military and politicians backed by a pro-democracy alliance.
Participants were joined by many who arrived by cars, buses and trains from provincial regions. They created scenes reminiscent of the popular uprising in late 2018 and early 2019 that forced the military to step in and remove dictator Omar Al Bashir.
They chanted "revolution" and “freedom, peace and justice" – the main slogan of what was referred to as the December Revolution. They also carried banners in support of the transition. “Going back is impossible,” read one banner.
Sudan’s military and pro-democracy politicians have jointly formed a transitional administration that has ruled since the overthrow of former leader Omar Al Bashir in 2019, but the country’s longstanding economic woes persisted, with power cuts, medicine shortages, a devalued currency and inflation at nearly 400 per cent.
However, relations between the two sides have soured over accusations that each was encroaching on the other’s authority and over the best way to handle the nation’s many problems.
Their differences became public after a failed coup attempt on September 21, with both sides engaging in a bitter war of words. There have since been calls for unity from either side and pledges by the military of its commitment to democratic rule.
There were no signs of additional security precautions in Khartoum at Thursday's rally, including in the area outside the armed forces’ headquarters in the heart of the city. The local Khartoum government said bridges across the Blue and White Niles would remain open to all traffic.
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Levante v Getafe (5pm), Sevilla v Real Madrid (7.15pm), Atletico Madrid v Real Valladolid (9.30pm), Cadiz v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday Granada v Huesca (5pm), Osasuna v Real Betis (7.15pm), Villarreal v Elche (9.30pm), Alaves v Real Sociedad (midnight)
Monday Eibar v Valencia (midnight)
Company%C2%A0profile
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UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE