BFF-42 Sudan town holds rally for ‘martyrs’ killed in protests

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Sudan town holds rally for ‘martyrs’ killed in protests

KHARTOUM, Jan 8, 2019 (BSS/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.

– ‘Appalled’ –

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.

BSS/AFP/MRI/2218 hrs