Sudan: Protests over rising prices in Khartoum and Omdurman Jan. 18 /update 5

Event

Further protests to denounce rising prices of basic goods - including bread, fuel, and medicine - are expected to take place in the capital Khartoum and in the city of Omdurman (located directly north of the capital) on Thursday, January 18.

Furthermore, Sudanese authorities arrested and seized the equipment of several journalists while they were covering protests two days prior. The security apparatus has reportedly directed all newspapers not to cover the protests. Some of the journalists have been released but others remain in custody.

Various related protests have broken out across Sudan, including in Khartoum, since January 6, some of which have turned violent, with police firing tear gas, using batons, and making arrests. Further protests are to be expected in the coming days.

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.

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.​