
From Voice of America:
Demonstrators are gathering in Sudan’s capital and eastern cities to memorialize those killed in protests against autocratic President Omar al-Bashir, on the anniversary of a 2005 killing of protesters in Port Sudan. Tuesday’s demonstrations are expected to be larger than recent ones. Sudanese have lately taken to demonstrations that attempt to avoid crackdowns by the police, protesting in local squares and neighborhoods sometimes blocked off with cars or makeshift barricades.
The current wave of protests began Dec. 19 in opposition to surging prices and a failing economy that doesn’t produce enough jobs for Sudanese, but quickly shifted to calls for an end to al-Bashir’s three decades of rule.
Al-Bashir, who seized power in a military coup, insists that only elections, which he intends to run in, could bring change.
Also in a hopeful sign, the BBC reports:
Authorities in Sudan have ordered the release of all detainees held during weeks of anti-government protests. The release was ordered by Sudan’s intelligence and security chief, Salah Ghosh, the information ministry said in a statement. No reason was given. More than 1,000 people are reported to have been detained in the protests, which began in December.
Leave a Reply