In a preemptive move, Sudanese security authorities have carried out large scale detentions targeting opposition political leaders after a call by the Sudanese Professionals Association to the people to take part in a second demonstration. According to the Association, protesters will gather at Al Gandool roundabout at 1300 noon on 31 December and march to the Presidential Palace to hand over a petition demanding President Al Bashir to step down. On Sunday evening security agents detained the president of the National Baath Party Mr. Kamal Bolad and member of the Communist Party’s Central Committee Mr. Kamal Karar.

The Professionals Association, an umbrella of several professional unions, organized demonstrations on 25 December in the vicinity of the Presidential Palace that was dispersed by security authorities through the use of teargas, batons and arrest of protesters.

The Sudanese government admitted the killing of 17 people and wounding 406 others in the wave of demonstrations erupted on 19 December to protest rising prices and lack of commodities. According to Amnesty International, 37 demonstrators were killed.

Source: Sudan Times