Anti-government protests that have claimed multiple lives in Sudan continued for a ninth consecutive day on Friday. You can see similar protests from December 25 in the player above.
Deadly protests in Sudan enter a ninth consecutive day
Hundreds of people in Omdurman, near the Sudanese capital Khartoum, heeded calls by opposition parties to take to the streets and chant slogans after Friday prayers at a local mosque, according to witnesses who spoke to Reuters news agency.
While their protest were reportedly non-violent – the Reuters witness claims they were chanting “peaceful, peaceful” – they were met by tear gas and stun grenades. Around 30 SUVs belonging to government security forces had surrounded the mosque, it has been reported.
The demonstrations have been a daily occurrence since December 19. They are being led by opposition parties who blame long-time President Omar Bashir for rising prices, a cash crisis and shortages of food and other vital materials. Schools have been closed and curfews imposed in some regions and there have been claims of security personnel using live ammunition on protesters.
The government’s information minister says 19 people including two soldiers and looters have been killed as a result of the unrest, while 219 civilians and 187 members of security forces have been injured. NGO Amnesty International said on Tuesday that 37 people have been killed in the demonstrations. An independent daily newspaper, Al-Sudani, has said one of its staff was beaten by security forces when a protest passed in front of its offices in Khartoum. Professional organisations close to the protests say opposition figures including leaders of Sudan’s Communist Party, Ba’ath and Nasserist parties have been arrested.