Protests erupt in Khartoum over electricity, water outages
September 14, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of people who were protesting against power cuts and water outages in al-Daim neighborhood in the center of the capital Khartoum.
Protests erupted in September 2013 following the government’s decision to lift fuel subsidies. Rights groups said that at least 200 people were killed but the government put the death toll at 85.
Activists have called for commemorating these protests this month.
Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that 300 young people gathered and blocked the main street with burned tires after which riot police vehicles arrived and fired tear gas while demonstrators cast stones in their direction.
It added that police chased protesters in the side streets for several hours and noted that plain clothed elements carrying whips were also involved in the chase.
The Sudanese minister of Electricity Moatez Moussa said the shortage is caused by low electricity generation in autumn season, which he said caused a loss of 500 megawatt from Merowe Dam and 80 megawatt from Rosaries dam.
The minister vowed to rectify the situation within 10 days.
The neighbourhoods of the capital Khartoum and other cities are witnessing regular electricity outages that start from late night hours and stretching well into the morning.
(ST)