Sudan: Violent protests continue January 8 /update 1

Event

The Sudanese police reportedly fired teargas to disperse protesters throwing stones at police forces on Monday, January 8, in the capital Khartoum. Some 300 people gathered for the third consecutive day to protest a recent hike in bread prices. A smaller number of protesters gathered in Kosti, Sudan’s biggest Nile River port, and were also dispersed by police using batons.

A high school student was killed and six others wounded on Sunday in related protests held in the southwestern city of Geneina. On Saturday, police fired teargas to forcibly disperse protesters in the city of Sennar.

Further protests, and possible associated violence, should be anticipated in towns and cities across the country, including the capital, in the coming days and weeks.

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 keep abreast of the situation, to 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.