Violence erupted in Sudan this week, claiming the lives of dozens of people as talks collapsed between the interim military council and opposition groups who have been unable to come to a consensus on how to make the transition towards democracy following the April ouster of long-time President Omar al-Bashir (MEES, 12 April). After 30-years of military dictatorship, the military council has been loath to cede power to pro-democracy civilian authorities.

Official figures for casualties remain unclear with opposition groups claiming over 100 people have been killed, while military officials put the figure at 46. Violence escalated earlier this week after a week-long sit-in outside military headquarters in Khartoum by opposition activists was forcibly broken-up by security forces. (CONTINUED - 141 WORDS)