Sudanese police dispersed tear gas against anti-government demonstrators heading for the Presidential Palace in Khartoum to call on President Omar al-Bashir to step down and form a government of national competencies, in conjunction with other demonstrations in 11 cities and a declaration by the government to increase the salaries of public sector workers. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed "deep concern" about the "excessive use" of force against demonstrators, four weeks after the start of protests against the regime.

After an invitation to demonstrate in Khartoum and other cities in the country yesterday, Sudanese gathered in the center of the capital before heading to the presidential headquarters, but police intervened by firing tear gas to disperse them.

Security forces deployed along the roads leading to the presidential palace, and military vehicles stationed in front of the palace were seen.

Demonstrations also erupted in 11 other areas, including Port Sudan, Madani, Qudarif, Abid and Atbara, witnesses said.

Non-governmental organizations reported that more than 1,000 people had been arrested, including opposition leaders, activists and journalists.

The declaration of civil disobedience is expected, according to a joint statement issued by the Alliance of Sudanese Professionals, the forces of Sudan's appeal and the national consensus forces. Several cities are also waiting for separate demonstrations to demand a competent government.

"The government will not change the demonstrations, and the road is one for the government," the Sudanese president told a crowd chanting slogans calling for him to remain in power in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. "The election fund between us, the election fund and the people will decide who will rule in 2020," said Bashir, 75.

Since December 19, 24 people have been killed in clashes during demonstrations, according to an official toll. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International say at least 40 people were killed, including children and medical staff.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Council of Ministers issued a decision yesterday to increase the wages of workers in the public sector, after the completion of financial technical procedures.

The General Federation of Trade Unions of Sudan, in a statement published by the Sudanese News Agency (SUNA), that the decision was handed to the Service Affairs Bureau to issue the detailed publication of wage increases.

Analysts say the move, triggered by discontent with three-fold price increases, is the biggest challenge to President Bashir since he came to power in 1989.

Organizers, including the union of professionals, including doctors, engineers and university professors, called on citizens to "wake up". Protesters are mobilized through social networking sites under Hastag.

The demonstrations began in Atbara (250 km north of Khartoum), and quickly spread to the capital, as well as to Darfur (west).

The demonstrators, who use social media for mobilization, chanted slogans of "freedom of justice and peace" and chanted "the people want to overthrow the regime."

"There is momentum now, people are demonstrating every day," said journalist Faisal Mohammed Saleh. "Even the authorities do not believe that."

"So far, Bashir seems to still have the support of most of the security forces," said Sudan expert on Sudan, Willow Berridge.

A spokesman for the presidential party, Ibrahim Siddiq, that «there are some demonstrations, but they are isolated and do not collect large numbers».

The International Crisis Group said in a report that Bashir's rule could remain despite the demonstrations. "But if that happens, it will be the continuation of the economic downturn, greater popular anger, more demonstrations and more severe repression."

In Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed "deep concern" over the "excessive use" of force against demonstrators in Sudan. "A repressive response can only aggravate grievances," Commissioner Michelle Bachelet wrote. "I am very concerned about information that excessive use of force, including the use of live bullets, has been received by the Sudanese State Security Forces during demonstrations," she said.

Bachelet called on the Sudanese government to "ensure that the security forces deal with demonstrations in line with the country's international human rights obligations and by protecting the right to peaceful assembly."

She added that fact-finding committees had been set up by the authorities and announced that her office was ready to send a team to Sudan to advise the authorities and to ensure that they were operating in accordance with their international human rights obligations.

"I urge the authorities to resolve this tense situation through dialogue, and I call on all parties to refrain from resorting to violence."

11

A city witnessing demonstrations

Protest against Bashir, center

Waving civil disobedience,

And claims to form

Government national competencies.