Sudanese protesters return to the streets en masse

Good morning,

Protests have resumed in Sudan today, as pro-democracy demonstrators return to the streets after three weeks of military rule, internet shutdowns and violence from authorities.

We will be following developments live.

AFP is reporting that Sudanese armed forces have been deployed and bridges shut ahead of the anti-coup rallies, which come two days after the military formed a ruling council excluding the country's main civilian bloc.

Authorities have also blocked roads leading to the army headquarters in Khartoum, the site of a mass sit-in protest in 2019 that led to the ousting of autocratic president Omar al-Bashir, according to AFP correspondents.

The United Nations has called on Sudanese security forces to refrain from violence.

"In light of tomorrow's demonstrations in #Sudan I once again call upon the security forces to exercise utmost restraint and respect the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression," said UN Special Representative for Sudan Volker Perthes.

A crackdown on demonstrations so far has left at least 15 people dead, according to an independent union of medics.