Bashir’s Supporters Plan Rival Sudanese Rally to Defend His Rule
- ‘Million-man’ demonstration promised by nation’s ruling party
- Anti-government protest continues for fifth day at army HQ
Omar al-Bashir speaks during a rally with his supporters on Jan. 9.
Photographer: Ashraf Shazly/AFP via Getty Images
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Sudan’s embattled ruling party vowed to organize a mass demonstration in support of President Omar al-Bashir, signaling it will make few concessions to a four-month uprising that’s seen anti-government protesters call on the army for help.
The National Congress Party is urging al-Bashir’s backers to attend a so-called “million-man” rally on Thursday, acting Chairman Ahmed Haroun said at the organization’s headquarters in the capital, Khartoum. The plans come as anti-al-Bashir demonstrators maintain a five-day sit-in outside army headquarters that security forces have sporadically attacked.