Sudan Erupts in Deadly Protests as Gas Prices Rise
Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
Protesters toppled pumps in Khartoum this week after the government lifted gasoline subsidies.
By ISMA’IL KUSHKUSH
Published: September 26, 2013
KHARTOUM, Sudan — This time, it was not the organizing by activists on Facebook and Twitter that made people take to the streets in such numbers. They did not need it. The anger was already widespread enough.
“The people want to bring down the regime!” and “No, no, to high prices!” young protesters shouted this week as they marched in Omdurman, Khartoum’s twin city across the Nile.
Deadly protests have rocked several Sudanese cities since Sunday, when the government lifted subsidies on gasoline, nearly doubling the price in an increase that is bound to create a domino effect on other goods.
“The economic situation is just painful,” said one protester, Moyasser, 25, who did not want his full name used out of fear of government reprisals.
The demonstrations broke out across greater Khartoum, with some leading to the destruction of public property like buses and gas stations. One witness saw at least six burned cars on Khartoum’s Africa Road; another saw protesters throw rocks at cars and block a road with burning tires and bricks.
The government has responded forcefully. A statement by the authorities promised to act “with an iron fist” to “destructive actions.” Sudan’s police forces said 29 people, including members of the police, had died in the violence, blaming “trained elements” and “rioters.”
But activists say that at least 100 are believed to have been killed, mostly by the government, with hospitals flooded. Security and police forces have used live ammunition as well as tear gas and batons to break up the protests.
“I know two who were killed,” Moyasser said. “One was shot, and the other beaten to death.”
As the protests escalated, Internet services were shut down on Wednesday and early Thursday. The authorities said that rioters had attacked and destroyed equipment belonging to a local online provider, but activists say it was a deliberate act by the government to create a blackout on events in Sudan.
The lifting of gasoline subsidies was the latest step in the difficult economic adjustments Sudan has experienced since South Sudan became independent two years ago, taking with it nearly 75 percent of the oil revenue the two countries once shared. Inflation has reached nearly 40 percent, and the value of the Sudanese pound has spiraled downward.
“The removal of subsidies must be accompanied with widening the social safety net,” argued Abla el-Mahdi, an economist. “But the government has failed to compensate the poor through direct transfers and increasing the minimum wage.”
Despite promises for assistance to the poor and an increase in the minimum wage, “there is little confidence in the government,” she added.
The Sudanese government, however, said it would continue with its economic reform policies.
“A government that backs down from taking the right decision for the benefit of society is not a government worthy of the trust and support of the people,” Vice President Ali Osman Taha told a group of graduates on Wednesday.
Sudan’s political opposition has been quick to criticize the government.
“We are against the increase in fuel prices,” said Kamal Omer of the Popular Congress Party. “This shows the failure of the ruling party.”
Thirty-five activists belonging to various political parties have been arrested since the beginning of the protests, Mr. Omer said. He said the current wave of protests represented “a revolution of the hungry.”
“This is the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Mr. Omer added.
Amjad Farid, 29, an activist with the Coalition of Sudanese Revolutionary Youth, warned that the protests would continue.
“After what happened, we cannot back down,” he said. “The blood of Sudanese is not cheap.”
Attempts by Sudanese dissidents in 2011 and last year to organize and set off an Arab Spring-like revolution in Sudan failed. But popular uprisings in 1964 and 1985 succeeded in bringing down military governments.
Abdel-Latif el-Bouni, a columnist, was cautious to not describe the current events as a revolution.
“This was all expected, but thus far, it’s been a reaction,” he said. “Anger is not enough for change.”
But, he added, “if geared into political momentum, it has the potential to become a revolution.”
Five days of protests have taken an economic toll on the city of Omdurman as well. In the usually crowded Al-Shuhada Square, an intersection for buses, shops were closed or only partly open.
Salih Ibrahim, 47, a conductor, said that while 250 drivers of minivans used for public transportation usually showed up for work, “only 30 showed up.”
Many of the drivers, Mr. Ibrahim said, feared that protesters would attack their vans. Others simply could not find gasoline, as a number of gas stations in Omdurman had been burned down.
“The guys who came bought gasoline from the black market, not for 21 pounds, but 30 pounds,” Mr. Ibrahim said. “So they’re charging passengers up to three pounds,” or about 68 cents, double the normal price.
“I have no choice; I need to get home,” said Abdel-Munim Ismail, 37, who got on a van.
Some grocery store owners also felt the brunt of higher gasoline prices and their expected trickle-down effect.
“The price of transporting goods to my store went from 20 pounds to 40 pounds,” or about $9.11, said Abdel-Aziz Ahmad, 40.
“The prices of flour, cooking oil, tomato sauce and onions are starting to go up,” Mr. Ahmad said. “I know people who don’t buy from me anymore.”
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