Fresh riots hit Sudan after bread clashes

khartoum — Protests over the rising cost of bread broke out in Khartoum and its twin city Omdurman on Friday, witnesses said, as Sudanese troops deployed after two days of deadly clashes between riot police and demonstrators left eight protesters dead.

A government decision to raise the price of a loaf of bread this week from one Sudanese pound to three (from about two to six US cents) sparked protests across the country on Wednesday.

In Omdurman, a witness — who declined to be named — said demonstrations erupted as worshippers emerged from a mosque frequented by followers of the Al Ansar sect, which is linked to the Umma Party, Sudan’s main opposition group.

Protesters chanted “the people want the fall of the regime” and “freedom, freedom,” said the witness.

“Riot police fired tear gas at the demonstrators,” the witness added. —