Protests initially began on December 19 in response to a government decision to triple the price of bread. This was followed by nationwide demonstrations against Bashir’s rule. They accused his administration of mismanaging the economy, resulting to soaring food prices as well as fuel and foreign currency shortages.
The protesters are calling on Bashir to step down but he has refused to step down, saying that his opponents need to seek power through the ballot box.
State news agency SUNA said that at least one person died during ‘rioting’ in Khartoum. However, Sarah Abdel-Jaleel, a spokesperson for the Sudanese Professionals Association, dispelled this saying that four people had been killed when security forces tried to disperse crowds approaching the military’s headquarters.
Security forces have tried several times to clear the protestors from the compound’s vicinity using tear gas, including on Sunday morning, but thousands have remained.
Earlier this month, a Sudanese court sentenced six protesters to six months in jail for violating a state of emergency imposed to quell anti-government protests.
President Omar al-Bashir imposed a state of emergency on February 22 to end widespread demonstrations that erupted against his iron-fisted rule in December.
Officials say 31 people have died in protest-related violence so far, but Human Rights Watch has put the death toll at 51, including children and medics.
