Sudan raises death toll in fuel subsidy protests to 84

November 5, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Justice minister, Mohamed Bushara Dousa,has announced that the death toll from demonstrations that erupted in September over fuel subsidy cuts have reached 84, contrary to lower figures released earlier by authorities.

But two weeks ago the governor of Khartoum Abdel-Rahman al-Khidir upped the figures and said that between 60-70 people died.

Amnesty International, activists and opposition figures have said from the start that more than 200 people were killed in the protests.

In statements carried by the pro-government al-Rayaam newspaper on Monday, the Justice minister said that the investigations into the killings are proceeding smoothly and stressed that the large number of deaths requires the ministry to conduct impartial investigations with a great deal of professionalism.

Dousa further said that incidents of sabotage and murder were investigated and the necessary measures were taken which he described as being conducted in accordance with international human rights standards.

Sudanese authorities said they arrested 700 in connection with the riots and denied using live ammunition against protesters. They accused outside elements of firing at the demonstrators, namely the rebel coalition known as the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF).

(ST)