Anti-government protests in Sudan have left at least 19 dead

Clashes between Sudanese riot police and protesters who took to the streets in response to rising bread prices have resulted in at least 19 deaths, including two security personnel. Bashar Juma, the spokesperson for the Sudanese government, stated on Thursday, January 6, during an appearance on state television, that '19 people lost their lives in these events, including two security forces.' He added that 219 others were injured. The protests in Sudan began in rural areas and small towns and eventually reached Khartoum, the capital. The protests were triggered by an increase in the price of bread from one Sudanese pound to three pounds, which has led to a reaction from impoverished sectors of society. The Sudanese government had previously reported that the clashes in Khartoum and other cities had resulted in eight deaths since last week. However, Amnesty International claims that these clashes have led to 37 deaths, a figure nearly double that acknowledged by the Sudanese government. In this context, there are no signs of reconciliation, and opposition groups have called for the continuation of protests. The Sudanese Communist Party stated, 'We urge the people of Sudan to continue their protests until success is achieved and the government is overthrown.' Since the start of these protests, many members of the Sudanese Communist Party have been arrested. The party further called for the unity of all opposition groups to realize the movement. Meanwhile, Sudanese journalists have also announced a strike in response to the violence in the country. The Sudanese Journalists' Network stated on Thursday, 'We are going on a three-day strike in protest against the violence the government has used against protesters.' The violence has also led to a rift within Omar al-Bashir's government, with the health minister of Northern Sudan resigning. Abdulraouf Gernaz from the Umma Reform Party is the first major official to resign since the protests began. Officials from this party told AFP, 'We had one minister in the Northern state, and we decided that he should resign from the government due to the violence against protesters.' Police and security forces remain present in the streets, but no reports of new protests have emerged on Thursday. Sudan is grappling with a foreign currency crisis and inflation, with average prices increasing by seventy percent in recent months.