Sudan: Protests over food prices in Omdurman Jan. 17 /update 4

Event

The opposition Sudanese Congress Party has called for a protest against rising bread prices to take place in the city of Omdurman (located directly north of the capital Khartoum) on Wednesday, January 17. People are expected to gather at Ahlia Unviersity Square at 15:00 (local time). Increased security measures and clashes with police forces are likely.

Several related protests have broken out across Sudan, including in Khartoum, since January 6, some of which have turned violent. Further protests are to be expected in the coming days.

Context

The price of bread has reportedly doubled in the country since the beginning of January, when the government removed subsidies under its 2018 budget. The government has begun to implement a number of broad-based economic reforms, in line with recommendations by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in an attempt to stabilize and increase economic growth.

Advice

Individuals present in Sudan are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant, and to avoid all demonstrations as violence may flare up without warning.

On a more general note, many Western governments advise against nonessential travel to Sudan and against all travel to certain regions, including the five Darfur states, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, certain areas of North Kordofan, the Djebel Ouanat region, Dinder National Park, and Sennar state.​