Sudan: Anti-Government Protesters Teargassed By Riot Police

Sudanese protesters demonstrating in the Burri and Bahri and Omdurman regions of the capital Khartoum were reportedly teargassed by riot police Thursday, according to AFP citing witnesses.

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"Protesters chanted anti-government slogans as they gathered in Madani's main market, but they were confronted with tear gas," a resident of Madani said on condition of anonymity.

The security forces responded to the violation of a nationwide state of emergency which was implemented to stem the growth of protests, which have been in effect since Dec. 19, last year.

Several demonstrators have also been jailed by special emergency courts set up specifically to investigate violations of the state of emergency.

Officials claim that 31 people have died in protest-related violence, but Human Rights Watch counters the figure, placing the death toll at 51.

Earlier this month, the deputy head of Sudan's opposition Umma Party was also a casualty of the demonstrations when he was sentenced to a week in prison.

Sudanese nations initially took to the streets to voice displeasure for the government’s decision to triple the price of bread but continued with hopes that embattled unpopular President Omar al-Bashir tenders his resignation.

But, al-Bashir remains defiant and imposed a year-long state of emergency, which parliament later cut to six months.

Al-Bashir has been in power since 1989.