Sudan's al-Bashir issues tough emergency laws

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM (AA) – Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir issued additional emergency decrees Monday as protests continued in the capital.

They include a ban on public gatherings and protests, the establishment of emergency courts to prosecute protesters, a ban on trading or hoarding subsidized goods and fuel products and new regulations on trading and transporting foreign currencies and gold.

Those found guilty under the new measures face up to 10 years in prison.

Police and security officials can also monitor individuals and detain anyone suspected of being involved in any activity that violates the emergency laws.

In a related development, a newly-appointed vice-president, prime minister and 15 regional governors were all sworn in on Monday.

Protests in Khartoum continued for a third straight day despite the recent imposition of a state of emergency.

“Thousands protested in and around downtown Khartoum chanting slogans against President Omar al-Bashir,” Ahmed Bala, a Sudanese activist, told Anadolu Agency.

Police reportedly surrounded three university campuses in the capital, including the University of Medical Science and Technology, Sudan International University and Al-Ahfad University.

Multiple student activists told Anadolu Agency that police conducted raids at all three campuses, using teargas to disperse demonstrators.

“Police raided campuses and beat students,” one demonstrator said.

On Friday, al-Bashir declared a year-long state of emergency to deal with protests that have rocked the country for more than two months, with demonstrators decrying his failure to remedy the country’s chronic economic woes.

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