![Sudanese demonstrators gather to protest demanding a civilian transition government in front of military headquarters outside the army headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan on 3 May, 2019 [Mahmoud Hjaj/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/20190503_2_36285489_44156329-e1557732156701.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=75&strip=all&ssl=1)
The situation has escalated on Sunday around the location of the sit-in in the headquarters of the Sudanese army, and protesters closed the Nile Street, one of the main streets in central Khartoum.
According to eyewitnesses, the closure of the Nile Street came to put more pressure on the military council to hand over power to civilians.
The closure of the Nile led to a traffic jam and congestion in central Khartoum as it is one of the main streets, amid the closure of other streets by the ongoing sit-in since 6 April.
The area has also witnessed the deployment of troops from the Sudanese army, and the Rapid Support Forces (an affiliate of the Sudanese military), according to eyewitnesses.
The Sudanese Professionals Association said in a statement seen by Anadolu Agency that the events have escalated in the square of the sit-in in front of the General Command of the Sudanese Armed Forces.
The statement added that in their resistance the protestors had thwarted attempts to dismantle some of the roadblocks.
The statement pointed out that the public escalation has expanded the squares of the sit-in.
The statement also called for heading to the location of the sit-in, in front of the General Command of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and supporting the protesters.
Since 6 April, thousands of protesters have been holding a continuous sit-in in front of the headquarters of the General Command of the Sudanese Armed Forces in Khartoum to pressure the Transitional Military Council to hand over power to civilians.
On 11 April, the Sudanese army ousted President Omar Al-Bashir following popular demonstrations against the deteriorating economic conditions and formed a transitional council to lead a two-year maximum transitional period.
Opposition alliances in Sudan are demanding a civilian presidential council, which would carry out sovereign missions during the interim period, a civilian legislative council, and a small civilian cabinet consisting of national competencies to carry out executive functions.
