10 Jan 2018 | 06:08 PM UTC
Sudan: Food price protests continue in Khartoum January 10 /update 2
Protests over high prices of bread continue in Khartoum January 10; transportation disruptions reported near Khartoum University
Event
Hundreds of students continued to protest the increased prices of bread in Khartoum on Wednesday, January 10, clashing with police. Police forces reportedly forced the estimated 400 students back onto the Khartoum University campus, fired tear gas, and cordoned off adjacent roads, resulting in localized transportation disruptions. Associated casualties were not immediately reported. Additional protests, a heightened security presence, and consequent transportation disruptions are expected in the coming days in Khartoum and elsewhere in Sudan.
Context
The price of bread has reportedly doubled in the country since the beginning of January, when the government removed subsidies under its 2018 budget. The government has begun to implement a number of broad-based economic reforms, in line with recommendations by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in an attempt to stabilize and increase economic growth.
Several protests have broken out across Sudan since the removal of subsidies. On January 7, at least one person was killed in six others wounded in related protests in Al-Junaynah (West Darfur state).
Advice
Individuals present in Sudan are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant, and to avoid all demonstrations as violence may flare up without warning.
On a more general note, many Western governments advise against nonessential travel to Sudan and against all travel to certain regions, including the five Darfur states, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, certain areas of North Kordofan, the Djebel Ouanat region, Dinder National Park, and Sennar state.
