The Sudanese security on Saturday detained a number of politicians and journalists hours after an announcement by the Sudanese Professionals Association of large sit-ins in many squares in Khartoum on Sunday.

Opposition sources told Sudan Tribune security personnel on Saturday detained the spokesperson of Baath Party Mr. Mohamed Dia Al Din from his home in Omdurman city. Earlier this month, Mr. Dia was detained after a day of his return to Sudan from Thailand where he underwent a surgical operation and was released last week on health grounds.

On the other hand, activists said security forces detained Saturday a number of journalists working in Al Midan newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Sudanese Communist Party, from the Party’s headquarters.

They said among the detainees was the chief editor of Al Midan newspaper Ms Eman Osman, in addition to a number of other journalists including Mr. Musaab Mohamed Ali, Mr. Osman Qutbi Abdul Rahman and Mr. Awad Al Karim Mohamed Al Tahir.

Three members of the Party’s Central Committee were also detained, including Ms Faiza Nugud, Mr. Hassan Osman and Mr. Osama Hassan.

On the other hand, the Sudanese Professionals Association, an independent umbrella of professionals, which is spearheading the anti-government protests that have shaken the country since five weeks, announced 23 sit-ins in key squares in Khartoum on Sunday.

Protests in Sudanese cities have continued since 19 December, initially erupted over shortage of fuel and rising prices of food but morphed into full-fledged protests demanding President Al Bashir to step down.

The Sudanese government confirmed the killing of 29 people in the protests but credible reports including from Amnesty International say the death toll nearly double that number.

Tens of protesters were injured by teargas, rubber bullets and live ammunition, while hundreds were detained.

Restricting the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly aggravate social and political issues and further worsen crises, and that in turn lead to death and injury of people as authorities seek to confront peaceful protesters who exercise a right guaranteed by the constitution, namely the right to peaceful assembly and expression, to hold opinion and receive and impart information.

Source; Sudantribune