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SUDAN-UNREST-DEMONSTRATIONS
Police deploy in Sudan capital as protesters plan march
KHARTOUM, Dec 31, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Riot police deployed in key squares of
Sudan’s capital Monday as protesters planned to march on President Omar al-
Bashir’s palace calling for him to “step down” following deadly anti-
government protests.
Bashir has instructed police to abstain from using excessive force against
the demonstrators after 19 people, including two security personnel, were
killed in clashes in the initial days of demonstrations that erupted on
December 19.
Angry protesters have rallied after the government raised the price of a
loaf of bread from one Sudanese pound to three (from about two to six US
cents).
Protests that erupted against high prices of bread have turned into anti-
government rallies in Khartoum and several other cities.
On Monday, a group bringing together professionals like doctors, teachers,
professors and engineers called for a march from downtown Khartoum to the
presidential palace after a similar rally it organised on December 25 in the
capital.
“We are again calling for a rally on December 31 at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT),”
the group calling itself as Sudanese Professionals’ Association said in a
statement late Sunday.
“We will march towards the presidential palace calling for President Omar
al-Bashir to step down.”
Opposition groups and prominent rebel chief Abdel Wahid al-Nur from war-
torn Darfur have also urged their supporters to participate in the march.
An AFP journalist who toured downtown Khartoum early Monday saw dozens of
anti-riot policemen and security agents of the powerful National Intelligence
and Security Service (NISS) deployed to prevent any gathering of protesters.
On Sunday, Bashir met top police officers in Khartoum and instructed them
to refrain from using excessive force against demonstrators after the United
Nations called for an investigation into the deaths and violence during the
demonstrations.
“We want to maintain security and we want the police to do that by using
less force,” Bashir said.
“We admit that we have economic problems… but they can’t be solved by
destructions, lootings, and thefts,” Bashir said, referring to the buildings
and ruling offices torched by protesters in several cities during the
demonstrations.
Sudan is facing an acute foreign exchange crisis and soaring inflation
despite Washington lifting an economic embargo in October 2017.
Inflation is running at 70 percent and the Sudanese pound has plunged in
value, while shortages of bread and fuel have regularly hit several cities.
BSS/AFP/RY/1630 hrs