Sudan: Further anti-austerity protests Feb. 15 in Khartoum /update 1

Event

Opposition parties have called for further anti-austerity protests to take place on Thursday, February 15, in in the capital Khartoum. The demonstration is expected to start at 14:00 (local time) and take place at Jackson Square, a major public transportation hub. Protesters are denouncing recent government austerity measures that have resulted in rising prices of basic goods such as bread, fuel, and medicine. The government has announced its intent to prevent all unauthorized demonstrations from going ahead, and recent related rallies have been forcibly dispersed by security forces. Some leading opposition members were arrested during a related protest on February 13 in Khartoum.

Heightened security measures and transportation disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the protest. Continued demonstrations are to be expected 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.

Various protests have erupted in Sudanese cities since January 6 due to the price hikes, notably in Khartoum, Khartoum North, and Omdurman.

Advice

Individuals present in Sudan are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant, and 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.