Demonstrations by the opponents of Sudan's military junta began on Saturday to protest the ouster of the civilian government. Rights activists fear further bloodshed as security forces crack down on demonstrators.

The crisis in Sudan is sending shock waves beyond the continent. The country is the focus of disparate interests, making it difficult for the international community to unite in a decisive stand to save its democracy.

The African Union has suspended Sudan's participation in activities until the restoration of a civilian-led authority. Earlier, the EU had condemned the army for toppling Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok's government.

Several people were killed and at least 140 injured in clashes between soldiers and protesters after Sudan's military seized power. The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis.

It has been two and half years since Sudanese protesters peacefully overthrew their dictator Omar al-Bashir in a jubilant moment for Sudan. But the path to democracy has not run smoothly. Infighting has plagued the country's joint military-civilian coalition and steep price rises have shaken people's faith in their leaders. For weeks, rumours had swirled of a coup d'état. This Monday morning, it happened: Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok was arrested and military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan appeared on television, declaring a state of emergency and dissolving the country's ruling body. Is this the death knell for Sudan's revolution? Or will the military's actions breathe new life into the protest movement?

In the aftermath of the Sudanese military seizing control in Khartoum, amateur footage has been emerging, some of it claiming to show violent scenes and shots fired at protesters. We have been able to verify some images showing protests in Khartoum. Also, with internet access severely curtailed as the coup happened, how is it that footage can still emerge from Sudan via social media?

"The civilian-led transitional government should be immediately restored," State Department spokesman Ned Price tells reporters after a military takeover in Sudan.

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan dissolves transitional authorities and declares a state of emergency during a statement on Sudan state television. The announcement comes after armed forces detained figures of the government in charge of leading the transition to democracy since the April 2019 ouster of autocratic president Omar al-Bashir.

Sudanese citizens take to the streets and block the roads with burning tyres in protest against the military and the arrest of Sudan's prime minister. Armed forces detained Omar al-Bashir on October 25th over his refusal to support their "coup" after weeks of tensions between the military and civilian figures sharing power since the ouster of the autocrat.

Despite a 2020 peace deal and the promise of elections, violence has increased and anti-government demonstrations are gathering pace. But experts say the situation is complex and a hard military coup remains unlikely.

Pro-military protesters in Sudan want the civilian government gone and military leaders to take over. But critics of the rallies say they are far from organic and have been orchestrated by security forces and backers of the former regime. Meanwhile in Ethiopia, state media confirms that the military launched air strikes on Tigray's capital Mekele after almost a year of deadly conflict.

Crowds of protesters have taken to the streets of Khartoum to call for the military to take power. The current political tensions in Sudan could jeopardize the country's transition to democracy.