Sudanese president orders investigation into recent protests
Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir has ordered an investigation into two weeks of violent protests against his 29-year rule, as he seeks to ease anger over his autocratic leadership and economic policies.
Mr Al Bashir has told Justice Minister Mohammed Salem to lead the investigative committee, the state news agency reported on Monday, but gave no detail about what it would be looking into.
Western nations, including the US and Britain, and rights groups have called for authorities in Sudan to investigate the use of lethal force by security forces against demonstrators.
Meanwhile, there have been reports that Mr Al Bashir’s political rivals may have been responsible for an acute shortage of fuel and other basic commodities to stir anger against the government.
Authorities have said that 19 people died in the protests, while Amnesty International said Human Rights Watch have given tolls of between 37 and 40 since December 19.
Mr Al Bashir on Monday sought to defuse the unrest sweeping the country, reassuring the Sudanese that there would be better days ahead.
He pledged more “transparency, effectiveness and justice in all our national institutions”, in an address to the nation marking the anniversary of Sudan’s independence 63 years ago.
“Our country is going through pressing economic conditions that have hurt a large segment of society,” Mr Al Bashir said. “We appreciate this suffering, feel its impact and we thank our people for their beautiful patience.”
He said this year’s budget would maintain state subsidies on many commodities, raise wages, introduce no new taxes and do more for the poorest. He did not elaborate.
Sudan’s economy has stagnated for most of his rule. He has also failed to unite or keep the peace in the religiously and ethnically diverse nation, losing three quarters of Sudan’s oil wealth when the mainly animist and Christian south seceded in 2011 after a referendum.
Critics say rampant corruption is eating a significant part of government funds and engineering shortages of basic items to manipulate prices.
Protesters have been chanting against the “government of thieves”.
Protesters have been chanting against the ‘government of thieves’