The police in Sudan's capital Khartoum has used tear gas and rubber bullets to prevent renewed opposition protests. At least two people were killed - a child and a doctor - reported an independent medical association and relatives. In addition, more than ten people were injured.
Hundreds of protesters demanded in the center of Khartoum the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled for almost 30 years. The police fired tear gas into a crowd of hundreds of protesters who marched to the presidential palace. The protesters shouted slogans like "freedom, peace, justice". A dpa reporter watched several arrests.
Northeastern Sudan is currently facing a severe economic crisis. Because of a very high inflation rate, people have recently lost significantly in purchasing power. The protests have been going on for about four weeks and were initially triggered by an increase in bread and oil prices.
By the beginning of January, according to the government, more than 800 people had already been arrested in connection with the protests. According to official figures, 24 people have been killed in the rallies so far. Human rights groups, on the other hand, claim at least 45 fatalities.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, expressed concern about the "excessive force" in repressing the protests. "A crackdown can only worsen people's complaints," she said.
The European Parliament also condemned the bloody suppression of protests in Sudan: the Khartoum government had to put an end to the arbitrary arrest, detention and torture of peaceful demonstrators.