Protests have been spreading across Sudan over the last week over cuts to fuel subsidies imposed by the regime of Omar al-Bashir. The video below shows demonstrators marching in the street chanting “Freedom” – hurriya. They have been met with brutal force by the Sudanese authorities, with at least 50 shot dead by the police in the last few days according to Amnesty International.

The protests began after the cuts in fuel subsidies were announced on 22 September, starting in Wad Madani, and then spreading to the capital Khartoum, Khartoum, Omdurman, Port Sudan, Atbara, Gedarif, Nyala, Kosti, and Sinnar. Thousands are reported to have taken part, despite the high level of repression.

A previous round of austerity measures in July 2012 led to a wave of protests which was followed by mass arrests and repression.

What you can do

• Send a letter of protest to the Sudanese Embassy demanding that the Sudanese authorities end the repression of protests and in particular end their ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy. If you are in the UK write to: Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, 3 Cleveland Row, St James’s, London SW1A 1DD – or send a message via the embassy website here. 
• Raise the issue of solidarity with the Sudanese protests in your union branch or student union

Image via wikimedia