More than 800 protesters have been arrested in anti-government demonstrations held across Sudan since last month, a senior government minister has said.

"The total number of protesters arrested until now is 816," Interior Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman told parliament on Monday.

The figure was the first given by officials for those detained since the rallies erupted in towns and villages and later spread to the capital, Khartoum.

On Sunday, several faculty members of Khartoum University were arrested for joining the protest that started on December 19 over a government decision to raise the price of bread.

The mass protests pose a serious challenge to President Omar al-Bashir, who has ruled the country since 1989.

Sudan has been facing a mounting economic crisis over the past year led by an acute shortage of foreign currency while the cost of food items and medicines has more than doubled and inflation has hit 70 percent.

Al-Bashir has pledged to address the issues facing the people in the North African nation but that has failed to convince the protesters.

Authorities say at least 19 people, including two security personnel, have been killed in clashes during the demonstrations, but rights group Amnesty International has put the death toll at 37.

Osman said that 118 buildings were destroyed in the protests, including 18 that belonged to the police, while 194 vehicles were set on fire including 15 that belonged to international organisations.

"The demonstrations began peacefully, but some thugs with a hidden agenda used them to indulge in looting and stealing," the minister said, adding that the situation across Sudan was now "calm and stable".

Pro-Bashir rally

Several buildings and offices of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) were torched in the initial violence.

Sudanese authorities have launched a crackdown on opposition leaders, activists and journalists to prevent the spread of protests.

Most anti-government rallies have been spearheaded by professionals such as doctors, teachers and engineers, but they have been swiftly broken up by riot police firing tear gas at protesters.

On Monday, crowds of protesters gathered in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan but they were quickly dispersed by riot police, witnesses said.

As the anti-government unrest rumbled on, the first rally backing al-Bashir was held in the eastern city of Kassala.

Hundreds of people from Kassala and neighbouring towns and villages gathered in front of the local governorate to express their support for al-Bashir.

Several supporters were carrying banners that read "Bashir, we want you to stay", witnesses said.

"We want Bashir as president in order to maintain security in the country," Mohameddin Issa, a resident of Kassala participating in the rally told AFP news agency by telephone.

"Security is the top priority, after that comes food...but I also believe that the problem of food will be solved soon."</s>More than 800 protesters have been arrested from hundreds of anti-government demonstrations held across Sudan since last month, the interior minister said Monday.

“The total number of protesters arrested until now is 816,” Ahmed Bilal Osman told parliament, revealing for the first time the figure for those detained since rallies erupted after an official hike in bread prices.</s>KHARTOUM: More than 800 protesters have been arrested from hundreds of anti-government demonstrations held across Sudan since last month, the interior minister said Monday. "The total number of protesters arrested until now is 816," Ahmed Bilal Osman told parliament. The figure was the first given by officials for those detained since deadly rallies erupted on December 19 after the government hiked bread prices. Authorities say at least 19 people including two security personnel have been killed in clashes during the demonstrations, but rights group Amnesty International has put the death toll at 37.</s>Sudanese authorities have arrested more than 800 demonstrators during an anti-government protest campaign over the past few weeks, Interior Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman has said.

“The total number of protesters arrested until now is 816,” Osman told parliament on Monday, as reported by AFP.

This is the first official figure for detained protesters since rallies against the rule of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir began on 19 December following a hike in bread prices.

Authorities say at least 19 people, including two security personnel, have been killed in clashes during the demonstrations, but rights group Amnesty International has put the death toll at 37.

Osman told lawmakers a total of 381 protests have been reported since 19 December.

He also said 118 buildings were destroyed in the protests, including 18 that belonged to police, while 194 vehicles were set on fire, including 15 that belonged to international organisations.

“The demonstrations began peacefully, but some thugs with a hidden agenda used them to indulge in looting and stealing,” the minister said, adding that the situation across Sudan was now “calm and stable”.

On Sunday, hundreds of people gathered in the eastern town of Kassala and neighbouring villages to express their support for Bashir.

“We want Bashir as president in order to maintain security in the country,” Mohameddin Issa, a resident of Kassala participating in the rally, told AFP by telephone.

“Security is the top priority, after that comes food…but I also believe that the problem of food will be solved soon.”

Sunday protests

 On Sunday, Sudanese security agents arrested eight professors at the University of Khartoum, as police fired tear gas on protesters to prevent demonstrators from rallying for a march towards the presidential palace.

“Police are not even allowing 10 people to gather,” a witness told the AFP on Sunday.

Protests on Sunday also broke out in the city of Madani, southeast of the capital, witnesses said, with demonstrators chanting for “peace, justice, freedom”.

An anti-government rally was also held in the northern town of Atbara, where the current unrest first erupted last month.

Witnesses said the local market in Atbara was shut down as protesters took to the streets.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese authorities have launched a crackdown on opposition leaders, activists and journalists to prevent the spread of protests.

The country has been facing a mounting economic crisis over the past year, after a years-long foreign currency shortage worsened last year.

The cost of some commodities, including medicines, has more than doubled and inflation has hit 70 percent.

Food and fuel shortages have been regularly reported across several cities, including Khartoum.</s>More than 800 protesters have been arrested from hundreds of anti-government demonstrations held across Sudan since last month, the interior minister said Monday.

"The total number of protesters arrested until now is 816," Ahmed Bilal Osman told parliament.

The figure was the first given by officials for those detained since deadly rallies erupted on December 19 after the government hiked bread prices.

Authorities say at least 19 people including two security personnel have been killed in clashes during the demonstrations, but rights group Amnesty International has put the death toll at 37.

Osman told lawmakers there had been a total of 381 protests reported since December 19.

He said that 118 buildings were destroyed in the protests, including 18 that belonged to police, while 194 vehicles were set on fire including 15 that belonged to international organisations.

"The demonstrations began peacefully, but some thugs with a hidden agenda used them to indulge in looting and stealing," the minister said, adding that the situation across Sudan was now "calm and stable".</s>Sudan's government says police have arrested 816 people in nearly three weeks of protests against the 29-year rule of President Omar al-Bashir.

Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday that at least 40 people have been killed in the protests, which began Dec. 19, initially over price rises and shortages but soon shifted to calls for al-Bashir to step down.

Interior Minister Ahmed Bilal Othman, who gave the figure on the number of people detained, told parliament Monday that 19 people were killed in the protests, including two members of the security forces. Al-Bashir has ordered an investigation into the killings.

Authorities also have arrested scores of opposition leaders. 

 

 Human Rights Watch says security forces have been using live ammunition and excessive force against the protesters as well as arbitrary detentions.</s>CAIRO (AP) — Sudanese police on Monday used tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters shortly after they began to march toward the Nile-side presidential palace in Khartoum to press their demands for President Omar al-Bashir to step down, according to activists and video postings.

There were unconfirmed reports of protesters being shot by live ammunition.

Video clips posted online by activists show pools of blood outside a small eatery in the city center. Another one shows protesters carrying a man whose head and shirt are bloodied. Scores of demonstrators run away as the sound of gunfire is heard.

A female protester’s voice is heard urging others, “don’t run,” as those around her violently cough from the tear gas.

“I am going to die,” another female voice says.

Before the clashes erupted, the demonstrators sang the national anthem, chanted “peaceful!” —as if to emphasize their non-violent protest — and “Oh, Sudan, we sacrifice our lives and blood for you.”

They also chanted, “the people want to bring down the regime,” which was the main slogan of the Arab Spring revolts of 2011.

Earlier Monday, Human Rights Watch urged al-Bashir’s government to instruct security forces not to use lethal force against protesters, citing independent groups as saying 40 people have been killed since the protests erupted nearly two weeks ago.

The New York-based group said Sudanese forces have been using tear gas and live ammunition against protesters, as well as beating and arresting many. Scores have been injured and hundreds arrested, it said. Last week, the United States, Britain, Norway and Canada said in a joint statement that they have “reliable reports” that Sudan’s security forces were using live fire.

Monday’s demonstrations were called for by an umbrella of independent professional unions, which also urged Sudanese to take to the streets across the country.

Al-Bashir, an autocratic leader who has been in power since he led a 1989 military coup, vowed in a meeting with police commanders Sunday that his government would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the stability and security of Sudan, according to the state news agency. An Islamist, he also sought to justify the killing of protesters, quoting from Islam’s holy book, the Quran, according to a video clip of his comments.

“The objective is not to kill the protesters, but … to safeguard the security and stability of citizens,” he said.

“President al-Bashir appears to be making public speeches that justify excessive use of force instead of condemning this brutality,” said HRW’s Jehanne Henry. “With more protests planned, Sudanese authorities should send an unambiguous message to all security forces to respect the rights of protesters and not to use lethal force.”

Amnesty International has said it has “reliable reports” that 37 protesters were killed in the first five days of protests, which began on Dec. 19. The government has acknowledged 19 deaths.

Monday’s attempted march on al-Bashir’s palace is the second such attempt — thousands tried to reach the white neo-colonial building in central Khartoum last Tuesday, clashing with policemen who used tear gas and batons to disperse them.

Although the protesters never reached the palace, their action showed the depth of popular discontent with al-Bashir’s rule. Protesters numbering in the hundreds or very low thousands gathered in a dozen or so venues across the city Tuesday and fought pitched battles with police for hours before they dispersed after nightfall.

This time, the unions are urging protesters to stay on the streets until they usher in 2019 so that they can mark the anniversary of Sudan’s independence on Jan. 1, 1956.

Sudan’s economy has struggled for most of al-Bashir’s rule. He has also failed to unite or keep the peace in the religiously and ethnically diverse nation, losing three quarters of Sudan’s oil wealth when the mainly animist and Christian south seceded in 2011 following a referendum in which southerners voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence.

A year earlier, al-Bashir, now in his mid-70s, was indicted by the International Criminal Court for genocide in Sudan’s western region of Darfur.

Copyright © 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.</s>Sudanese protesters chant slogans during an anti-government demonstration in the capital Khartoum on January 6, 2019 (AFP Photo/-)

Khartoum (AFP) - More than 800 protesters have been arrested in anti-government demonstrations held across Sudan since last month, a minister said Monday, as hundreds gathered at a rally backing President Omar al-Bashir.

Deadly protests have rocked Sudan since December 19, when unrest first broke out over a government decision to raise the price of bread.

Authorities say at least 19 people including two security personnel have been killed in clashes during the demonstrations, but rights group Amnesty International has put the death toll at 37.

Interior Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman on Monday gave details to parliament of arrests made during the protests and violence that marked several rallies.

"The total number of protesters arrested until now is 816," Osman said.

The figure was the first given by officials for those detained since the rallies erupted initially in towns and villages and later spread to the capital Khartoum.

Osman told lawmakers there had been a total of 381 protests reported since December 19.

He said that 118 buildings were destroyed in the protests, including 18 that belonged to police, while 194 vehicles were set on fire including 15 that belonged to international organisations.

"The demonstrations began peacefully, but some thugs with a hidden agenda used them to indulge in looting and stealing," the minister said, adding that the situation across Sudan was now "calm and stable".

Protests broke out when the government raised the price of a small loaf of bread from one Sudanese pound to three (from two to six US cents).

Several buildings and offices of Bashir's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) were torched in the initial violence.

Sudanese authorities have launched a crackdown on opposition leaders, activists and journalists to prevent the spread of protests.

Sudan has been facing a mounting economic crisis over the past year led by an acute shortage of foreign currency.

The cost of food items and medicines has more than doubled and inflation has hit 70 percent.

Food and fuel shortages have been regularly reported across several cities, including Khartoum.

Most anti-government rallies have been spearheaded by professionals like doctors, teachers and engineers, but they have been swiftly broken up by riot police firing tear gas at protesters.

On Monday, crowds of protesters gathered in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan but they were quickly dispersed by riot police, witnesses said.

As the anti-government unrest rumbled on, the first rally backing Bashir was held in the eastern city of Kassala.

Hundreds of people from Kassala and neighbouring towns and villages gathered in front of the local governorate to express their support for Bashir.

Several supporters were carrying banners that read "Bashir, we want you to stay", witnesses said.

"We want Bashir as president in order to maintain security in the country," Mohameddin Issa, a resident of Kassala participating in the rally told AFP by telephone.

"Security is the top priority, after that comes food...but I also believe that the problem of food will be solved soon."

Bashir's supporters also took to social networks Twitter and Facebook to back the rally in Kassala.

"The rally in Kassala shows how popular the government is and how safe the country is," Ibrahim al-Siddiq, spokesman of NCP wrote in a post online.

Authorities are holding a similar pro-regime rally in Khartoum on Wednesday.

Bashir has dominated Sudan for three decades since coming to power in a coup backed by Islamists in 1989.</s>Sudanese protesters chant slogans during an anti-government demonstration in the capital Khartoum on Sunday (AFP Photo/-)

Khartoum (AFP) - Hundreds of protesters on Tuesday staged a "martyrs' rally" in an eastern Sudanese town to honour those killed in anti-government protests last month, witnesses said.

Deadly protests have rocked Sudan since December 19, when unrest broke out over a government decision to raise the price of bread.

Authorities say at least 19 people including two security personnel have been killed during the demonstrations, but rights group Amnesty International has put the death toll at 37.

Six people were killed in Al-Gadaref, an impoverished agricultural town in eastern Sudan, when protests erupted after a government decision to triple the price of bread from one Sudanese pound to three (from about two to six US cents).

On Tuesday, protesters staged what organisers said was a "martyrs' rally" to mark the deaths in Al-Gadaref.

The main market was shut as demonstrators gathered in the downtown area, chanting slogans such as "Peace, justice, freedom" and "Revolution is the choice of the people".

Demonstrators were confronted by riot police who fired tear gas as protesters prepared to march to the provincial council building, witnesses said.

Groups of protesters managed to reach the compound of the council building and one of their representatives read out a petition calling for President Omar al-Bashir to resign, one witness told AFP by telephone on condition of anonymity.

The protest was organised by the Sudanese Professionals' Association, a group of teachers, doctors and engineers that has spearheaded the ongoing anti-government demonstrations across the country.

Sudanese authorities could not be reached to comment on the rally.

More than 800 protesters have been arrested across Sudan since the unrest began, Interior Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman said Monday while describing the current situation as "calm and stable".

Opposition leaders, activists and journalists have also been detained as part of a crackdown to prevent the spread of protests.

Bashir, who has ruled Sudan since 1989, told police last month to use "less force" in their response to demonstrators.

Britain, Norway, the United States and Canada reiterated their concern over the situation in Sudan in a joint statement issued Tuesday.

"We are appalled by reports of deaths and serious injury to those exercising their legitimate right to protest, as well as reports of the use of live ammunition against protesters," the statement said.

"We urge the government of Sudan to ensure that a fully transparent and independent investigation into the deaths of protesters takes place as soon as possible, and that those responsible are held to account."

It also called on Khartoum to release all those detainees held without charge, warning that the government's action in the issue "will have an impact" on engagements with the governments of the four countries.

Sudan has been facing a mounting economic crisis over the past year, led by an acute shortage of foreign currency.

Food and fuel shortages have been regularly reported across several cities, including the capital Khartoum, while the cost of food and medicine has more than doubled.</s>Sudan's government is stepping up violent efforts to quell widespread protests in the country, according to a demonstrator interviewed on a VOA program.

Khartoum protester Nour El Din told VOA's South Sudan in Focus on Monday that police "are hunting us, and they are using their guns, even inside houses." He asked that his full name not be used in this story.

El Din, a mining engineer who attended protests in the Sudanese capital over the weekend, said the protests were organized by the Sudanese Professional Association (SDA), an umbrella group of independent professional unions in Sudan.

He said the protests took place in Bory and at Khartoum University, where teachers and university administrators joined the demonstrations. "The government used extreme violence," as well as tear gas on protesters, according to El Din.

El Din said people in the neighborhood of Bory opened their doors to protesters running away from police. "We run from them into all the houses," El Din said.

Police entered homes in Bory with guns drawn, according to El Din. He said while he did not see guns fired, he heard gunshots.

Protests began Dec. 19 after the government raised bread prices. More than 800 protesters were arrested at hundreds of anti-government demonstrations across the country over the past month, according to Sudan Interior Minister Ahmed Bilal. Protesters also have been demanding that President Omar al-Bashir step down after 29 years in office.

Authorities said at least 19 people have been killed in protests, but rights group Amnesty International said the death toll may be nearly double that.
Sudanese Interior Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman announces that 816 protesters have been arrested amidst anti-government protests held across the country since December of last year.