News / Sudan

In Sudan, another day of demos for, against Bashir

Wednesday, 09 January 2019 4:54 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 09 January 2019 6:42 PM ]

President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan has said he will stay in power amid demonstrations by thousands of people against and in support of the government.

Addressing thousands of his supporters who gathered in Khartoum's Green Square on Wednesday, the president challenged his opponents to beat him at the ballot box.

"(To) those who are seeking power, there is one way which is in the ballot box, through free and fair elections," said Bashir.

He also blamed unnamed foreign powers for provoking weeks of unrest in the country.

"There was the war, mutiny and war ... They besieged us economically to make Sudan kneel down and they are trying to humiliate us with a small amount of wheat, petrol and dollars," Bashir said during the rally which was organized by his ruling party, adding "But our pride is more valuable than the dollar."

He was apparently digging at Washington, which had imposed a trade embargo on Sudan in 1997 that continued for 20 years.

Last week, Bashir said it had been unfortunate that he had been advised to normalize ties with Israel in order to ensure stability in his country.

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Bashir, who opened and closed his address dancing to patriotic music and waving his cane in the air, hailed the gathering as “a message to those who think that Sudan will become like other countries that have been destroyed.”

Soon after the pro-Bashir rally ended, hundreds of anti-government protesters took to the streets of Omdurman, near the capital, chanting "Freedom, Peace, Justice" and "Revolution is the people's choice." They also blocked a main road in the city.

But the protesters were immediately confronted by riot police who used tear gas against them, according to witnesses.

People run as tear gas canisters are thrown at them during an anti-government protest in Omdurman, Sudan, on January 9, 2018 in this still image taken from social media video. (Photo by Reuters)

Sudan has been gripped by mass protests triggered by rising prices and shortages of food and fuel since December 19. The public display of anger later escalated into calls for President Bashir to go.

According to Amnesty International, Sudan's security forces have shot dead at least 37 protesters but the government has put the death toll at no more than 19 people.

More than 800 demonstrators, opposition leaders, activists and journalists have been detained since the unrest began, officials say.

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