Sudan fuel subsidy protests take more lives

Death toll in clashes between Sudanese protesters and security forces increases to 30.

Protests broke out in the country on September 23 following a government decision to drop fuel subsidies to raise state income.

Early reports indicate that seven people died during the protests, but a hospital source in Khartoum’s twin city Omdurman said on Thursday the bodies of 21 people had been retrieved since the protests started.

That announcement put the death at nearly 30 people.

The source also stated that all the victims were civilians.

Activists are scheduled to hold fresh protests in the capital on Thursday.

On Wednesday, security forces fired tear gas and used force to disperse the demonstrators in Khartoum and Omdurman.

The demonstrators set fire on vehicles in a hotel car park near Khartoum International Airport, and a petrol station in the area was also set alight.

On September 24, protesters stormed and torched the offices of the ruling National Congress Party in Omdurman.

Sudan’s Education Ministry announced that schools in the capital would remain closed until the end of the month.

Sudan has been plagued by running inflation and a weakening currency since it lost billions of dollars in oil revenues after South Sudan gained independence two years ago, taking with it some 75 percent of crude production of the formerly united country.

On Sunday, Sudan President Omar al-Bashir formerly said that the subsidies threatened Sudanese economy.