SUDAN’S army has moved to shut down a square in front of its headquarters in Khartoum as “counterrevolutionary” protesters seek to oust the transitional government of President Abdullah Hamdok.

The army confirmed the square would be off limits until further notice as anti-government protesters planned a sit-in to press their demands.

“Some elements opposed to the people’s revolution have taken advantage of the emergency conditions in the country and started promoting their approach and holding of a sit-in in front of the General Command of the Armed Forces in order to achieve their agenda,” a statement said.

“Based on this situation, the armed forces announce that the area around the general command is a military zone and it is forbidden to get close to it. The general command will take all necessary precautions and measures, including the closure of the roads leading to its headquarter’s buildings and its surroundings.”

The square became central to the protest movement that led to the downfall of former Islamist leader Omar al-Bashir last April.

It was the scene of a bloodbath after the Rapid Support Forces, formerly known as the Janjaweed, went on the rampage, killing hundreds as they cleared the protest camp set up there.

Supporters of the former regime are thought to have been behind a foiled coup plot last month, with major movements reported among elements of the armed forces.

Earlier this month hundreds took part in protests against the Forces of Freedom & Change coalition government under the banner of the United Popular Movement. While ostensibly demonstrating against the worsening economic crisis, including a rise in bread and fuel prices, the protests have been dominated by Islamists who opposed the ousting of Mr Bashir.

They have joined the so-called green marches and accuse the transitional government of being “devoted to partisan conflicts, implementing a narrow political agenda hostile to Sudanese Islamic values ​​and identity, and practising isolation and exclusion.”

A new ruling coalition consisting of representatives of the Forces for Freedom & Change and the armed forces was agreed after months of political wrangling. It came to power in August 2019, and has been tasked with organising elections and a transition to civilian rule within three years.

The government has agreed to hand Mr Bashir over to the International Criminal Court to face trial on charges of war crimes and genocide committed in Darfur, where thousands of civilians were killed as he mobilised the Janjaweed against anti-government forces.