Sudan: Protests Leave 19 Dead, 200+ Injured

Local Editor

At least 19 people were killed in clashes between Sudanese anti-riot police and protesters in demonstrations triggered by a rise in bread prices, according to a government official.

Speaking on state television on Thursday, Boshara Juma, government spokesperson, said: "Nineteen people lost their lives in the incidents including two from security forces".

At least 219 others were wounded, he added.

Sudanese authorities had previously said eight people have been killed in clashes in Khartoum and several other cities since the protests began on December 19.

However, rights group Amnesty International on Monday put the death toll at 37

Protests initially started in towns and villages and later spread to Khartoum, as people rallied against the government tripling the price of a loaf of bread from one Sudanese pound to three [an amount equal to $0.02 and $0.06].

Demonstrators have also been marching against Sudan's dire economic situation and some have called for President Omar al-Bashir's resignation.

Doctors and journalists have launched a strike in support of the protests.

Police and security officers remained deployed in several parts of the Sudanese capital on Thursday, but no new demonstrations were held.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team