Death toll from Sudan demonstrations rises to eight

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM (AA) - The death toll from ongoing protests in Sudan has risen to eight, with six people killed in the eastern Gadarif State and two in the northern White Nile State.

According to Gadarif State Commissioner Altybe al-Amin, six people were killed -- and an undetermined number of others injured -- in popular protests that rocked the state Thursday despite the imposition there of a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Mukhtar, a spokesman for Sudan’s White Nile State, confirmed that at least two other people had been killed -- and many more injured -- in protests there.

On Friday, Khartoum warned demonstrators against damaging public or private property.

“The government is guaranteeing the basic rights of the people and will not tolerate chaos,” it said in a statement.

Sudanese opposition figures, meanwhile, are urging the public to hit the streets Friday, with the Sudanese Congress Party warning the authorities against using violence against unarmed protesters.

For the last two days, violent demonstrations have rocked different parts of the country, with protesters decrying soaring inflation and acute bread shortages.