World Tour: Protests in Sudan, and Muslims mark ‘Jerusalem Day’

MARY REICHARD, HOST: Coming up next on The World and Everything in It: World Tour with Africa correspondent Onize Ohikere.

ONIZE OHIKERE, REPORTER: Sudan protesters remain—We start today here in Africa.

AUDIO: [Sudan protesters and shooting]

Protesters in Sudan remained in the streets Tuesday in the face of ongoing military attacks. At least 35 people died Monday when troops opened fire on them.

Protesters have been camped out in front of military headquarters in Khartoum for months.

AUDIO: [Sound of ruling army chief]

In a televised address Tuesday, the ruling army chief announced an end to all agreements previously made with protesters. He said the country would hold elections within the next nine months. He vowed they would take place with regional and international supervision.

But protesters say any elections put on by the military will be unfair. Opposition groups are demanding a transition to civilian rule.

Muslims mark ‘Jerusalem Day’—Next we go to the Middle East.

AUDIO: [Jersusalem Day protests]

Muslims from Yemen to Iraq to the West Bank took to the streets Friday to mark “Jerusalem Day.” The tradition started during Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979. It’s always held on the last Friday of Ramadan to show support for Palestinians.

Protesters in Tehran burned American and Israeli flags. They also torched effigies of President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iranian officials blasted President Trump’s peace plan and the upcoming economic meeting in Bahrain. Palestinian leaders have said they will not attend.

Saudis host conference—Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia hosted other regional powers at a conference in Mecca last week.

SALMAN: [Calling leaders to stand]

King Salman of Saudi Arabia called on Arab leaders to stand up to Iranian aggression. He cited what he called criminal acts—like Iran’s nuclear program, interference in other countries, and recent shipping attacks.

Saudi Arabia and the U.S. say Iran sabotaged four ships. Two Saudi oil tankers were among them. Iran has denied those claims.

Leaders from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia attended the gathering. They remain united in support for Palestinians, the cause that galvanized the group 50 years ago.

Dutch hostage killed—Next we go to the Philippines.

AUDIO: [Sound of plane engines]

A Dutch birdwatcher died during a gunbattle between a militant group and the Philippine army.

The militant group Abu Sayyaf is tied to ISIS. It kidnapped birdwatcher Ewold Horn in 2012. One of his guards reportedly shot him Friday as he tried to escape during the military raid.

President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to pursue the kidnappers, quote— “to the ends of the earth” to avenge Horn’s death.

On Tuesday, U.S. officials announced a joint initiative with the Philippine government to fight extremism. ISIS has gained a foothold in the country in recent years. A 2017 siege of Marawi left 1,100 ISIS-linked militants dead. The city still lies in ruins two years later.

Notre Dame to be rebuilt the way it was—And finally, we end today in France.

Lawmakers in Paris have approved a bill requiring the Notre Dame cathedral to be rebuilt exactly the way it was. A fire destroyed the cathedral’s roof and iconic spire in April. Some politicians had suggested the building get a modern makeover. But members of the Senate voted last week to restore it to its “last known visual state.”

That’s this week’s World Tour. For WORLD Radio, I’m Onize Ohikere reporting from Abuja, Nigeria.

(AP Photo) In this Monday, June 3, 2019 file photo, a protester flashes the victory sign in front of burning tires and debris on road 60, near Khartoum’s army headquarters, in Khartoum, Sudan, Monday, June 3, 2019. 

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