Protests erupt in Sudan over skyrocketing bread prices

KHARTOUM: Police fired tear gas at groups of students protesting in a central Sudanese town against soaring bread prices, witnesses said, as opposition parties called for anti-government demonstrations.

Bread prices almost doubled on Friday across Sudan after flour manufacturers raised prices amid dwindling supply of wheat following a government decision to stop importing the grain and allow pri- vate companies to do so.

“Citizens, demand your rights,” shouted university students in the central Sudanese town of Sennar as dozens of residents joined them in a sporadic march against the rise in bread prices, witnesses said.

Police fired tear gas to break the protest while shopkeepers closed their shops in the town’s main market, witnesses and residents said.

“Police fired tear gas at protest- ers. I had to close my shop as demonstrators approached the market,” a shopkeeper said on condition of anonymity.

Pictures and videos of protesters chanting anti-government slogans and burning tyres in the streets were uploaded on several social media websites.

Flour manufacturers have raised the price of a 50kg sack of wheat flour from 167 to 450 Sudanese pounds (RM95 to RM257), Mohamed al-Saeed, a member of a bakery owners’ union said.

That sent bread prices soaring and in response leading opposition groups have called for anti-government protests across the country.

“The Umma Party calls on all its members and Sudanese citizens to protest peacefully against the rise in bread prices,” the main opposition party said. — AFP

Police fired tear gas at protesters. I had to close my shop as demonstrators approached. Anonymous