Port Sudan sees renewed mass demonstrations

KHARTOUM (AA) - Popular demonstrations erupted Thursday in Sudan’s eastern city of Port Sudan, where protesters condemned alleged repression by the government and deteriorating economic conditions.

Security forces dispersed hundreds of demonstrators with teargas, eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency.

In December, the port city saw similar protests that were also dispersed by security forces.

Protests began in Sudan on Dec. 19 in 14 of the country’s 18 states, including capital Khartoum.

Demonstrators decry rampant inflation and acute commodity shortages. Some have gone so far as calling for the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir.

Al-Bashir, who has been in power since 1989, pledged Monday to carry out economic reforms amid ongoing calls by the opposition to protest.

A nation of 40 million, Sudan has struggled to recover from the loss of three quarters of its oil output -- its main source of foreign currency -- when South Sudan seceded in 2011.