As it attempted to solidify authority, Sudan's army launched a new round of arrests of opponents to Monday's coup, activists said, despite African Union and World Bank prohibitions and pressure from the US. Protests, strikes, and civil disobedience erupted across the country on Wednesday as Sudanese opposed the military's seizure of power, a move that has thrown the North African country's democratic transition into chaos two years after long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir was deposed.

According to doctors, at least 12 people have died and 150 have been injured as a result of the turmoil.

Detained Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, whose case was brought to the attention of the United Nations, was allowed to return home under guard late Tuesday, but security agents wasted no time in detaining other dismissed members of his cabinet.

According to Mohammed Yousif, a member of the Sudanese Professionals Association, a pro-democracy group, more than 40 activists, journalists, and government officials have been arrested since Monday, with a surge in the last 24 hours. "People who have previously spoken about the army on Facebook, Twitter, or television are being targeted," he claimed. Army spokespeople did not reply to requests for comment.