US warns citizens in Sudan against possible demonstrations on Saturday
September 19, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The U.S. embassy in Khartoum on Thursday asked its citizens to exercise caution in light of anti-government demonstrations that could erupt on Saturday.
“A social media web site is circulating a call for civil disobedience and a general strike on Saturday September 20, 2014. This activity will occur in public squares throughout the Khartoum tri-city area, including a rally at the Republican Palace and the Sudanese Armed Forces Headquarters building. These protests are directed against the governing National Congress Party, and could lead to street violence” reads a security bulletin published on the embassy website.
“You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence”.
The protests are meant to commemorate the September 2013 demonstrations that broke out 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.
However there appears to be no momentum on the street that could trigger widespread protests as outlined in the embassy’s warning.
Last weekend 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.
The same area has been the scene of some of the bloodiest confrontations between demonstrators and police during last year’s protests.
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.
(ST)