Sudan police fire tear gas at anniversary rally, several wounded

Tens of thousands of Sudanese protesters rallied  for a civilian-led transition to democracy, three years since the start of mass demonstrations that led to the ouster of veteran strongman Omar al-Bashir.

Security forces fired tear gas canisters -- leaving several wounded, witnesses said -- as activists at the presidential palace in Khartoum chanted slogans against military chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who led a coup on October 25.

"The people want the downfall of Burhan," the protesters shouted as additional security forces were deployed to surround the swelling crowd.

Sudan's generals in the post-Bashir transition government launched their coup almost two months ago and held civilian leader Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok under effective house arrest for weeks but reinstated him on November 21.

The move alienated many of Hamdok's pro-democracy supporters, who dismissed it as providing a cloak of legitimacy for Burhan's coup.

"Any coup, even after the reinstatement of Hamdok, is unacceptable," a protester aged in his twenties said as thousands waving Sudanese flags marched past him. 

"Our glorious December revolution is seeking civil institutions, not particular individuals."

Hamdok, who has argued he wants to avoid further bloodshed, warned of "the country's slide toward the abyss," urging restraint from the protesters.