Bashir declares state of emergency across Sudan
KHARTOUM: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared a nationwide state of emergency and dissolved the government in an effort to quell weeks of demonstrations that have rocked his iron-fisted rule.
Deadly protests have broken out across the east African country since the government tripled the price of bread on Dec 19, with demonstrators accusing the government of mismanaging the nation’s economy and calling on the veteran leader to step down.
“I announce imposing a state of emergency across the country for one year,” Bashir said in a televised address to the nation from the presidential palace in Khartoum.
“I announce dissolving the government at the federal level and at the provincial levels,” he added.
Protest organisers vowed to press on with their demonstrations until Bashir steps down.
“We are calling on our people to continue with demonstrations until the main aim of this uprising, which is the stepping down of the regime chief, is achieved,” said the Sudanese Professionals Association which is spearheading the campaign, just after Bashir announced a state of emergency.
Late on Friday, crowds of protesters took to the streets in Omdurman, the twin city of Khartoum, but were quickly confronted with tear gas by riot police, witnesses said.
Hours after he made his announcements, Bashir issued two presidential decrees appointing 16 army officers and two security officers as new governors for the country’s 18 provinces.
He also announced that five members of the outgoing cabinet, including ministers for foreign affairs, defence and justice, would retain their portfolios.
Bashir has remained defiant in the face of demonstrations, dismissing protesters’ calls for him to step down after three decades in power.
Demonstrations first erupted in the farming town of Atbara but the rallies swiftly mushroomed into a major challenge to Bashir’s rule.
Officials say 31 people have died in the violence while Human Rights Watch says at least 51 people have been killed including medics and children.
The country’s feared National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) has launched a sweeping crackdown to quell the protests, jailing hundreds of protesters, opposition leaders, activists and journalists. — AFP