Middle East

At least 37 Sudanese protesters killed as protests grow

Sudanese protesters have demanded the end of Omar al-Bashir 29-year rule (Reuters)

At least 37 Sudanese protesters have been shot dead during protests that have spread through Sudan, according to Amnesty International, as protesters plan to gather in the capital Khartoum to demand President Omar al-Bashir step down after 29 years.

Several Sudanese groups and activists have backed a call by the Sudanese Professionals Association union to march from Abu Jinzeer Square in Khartoum to the presidential palace on Tuesday.

“With further protest planned tomorrow, the fact that the security forces are using lethal force so indiscriminately against unarmed protesters is extremely troubling,” said Amnesty International's deputy director for East Africa, the Great Lakes and the Horn, Sarah Jackson.

Amnesty's number covered the first five days of the protests, entering their seventh on Tuesday, while officials had confirmed only eight deaths. Sudanese opposition leader Sadig al-Mahdi said 22 had been killed.

“With dozens already dead, the government must rein in this deadly use of force and prevent more unnecessary bloodshed," said Jackson.

"Instead of trying to stop people from demonstrating, the authorities should be focusing on ending longstanding repression of human rights and resolving the economic crisis that have collectively precipitated these protests.”

Massive numbers of riot police blocking down town and surrounding the presidential palace and streets leading to them in an attempt to block todays procession
25 Dec 18#SudanUprising https://t.co/4fNS9jZwUo

— Maysoon elnigoumi (@Maysoon_nigoumi) December 25, 2018

The Sudanese Professionals Association said the march on the presidential palace would united protesters "above any differences" among Sudanese people.

"To direct our voices and our strength towards removing this regime that has devastated us and divided our country," it said in a statement on Tuesday.

The protests erupted in the northeastern town of Atbara last Wednesday, after weeks of tension over bread shortages, when protesters torched the ruling National Congress Party's offices.

Since then at least 15 towns and cities in Sudan have seen protests, according to mapping by Sudanese volunteers and verified by open source investigators Bellingcat.

While a tripling of bread prices and fuel shortages kindled the anger in Atbara, protests across the country have directed that outrage against Bashir and his government.

On Monday, for the second night in a row, Sudanese police used tear gas after fans leaving a football match immediately after they exited the stadium in Khartoum.

The Sudanese foreign ministry, according to the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA), briefed foreign diplomats on the crisis on Monday, describing the protests as only frustration over the languid economic condition.

Bashir spoke out against the protests for the first time on Monday, telling citizens to ignore "attempts to instil frustration".

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