26 Jan 2018 | 03:52 AM UTC
Sudan: Opposition calls for new protests in Khartoum North January 31 /update 6
Sudanese opposition calls for new demonstrations and march in the Khartoum area on January 31 protesting price hikes; heightened security presence and transportation disruptions expected
Event
The Sudanese opposition has called for new demonstrations and a march in the Khartoum area on Wednesday, January 31, protesting price hikes on basic goods. The demonstrations and march, colloquially termed the "Great Salvation March," will proceed from Popular Square (Maydan Sha'abiya) around 15:00 (local time) in Khartoum North. The political opposition has called for marches throughout the country on January 31; associated protests, heightened security measures, and transportation disruptions are expected in the Khartoum area and other major Sudanese cities on January 31.
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 erupted in Sudanese cities since January 6 due to the price hikes, notably in Khartoum and Omdurman on January 16 and 17, respectively. The protests were reportedly violently suppressed by police and resulted in the arrests of hundreds of activists.
Advice
Individuals present in the Khartoum area 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.
