Protests in Sudan Over Worsening Economic Situation

Demonstrators attend a protest rally in Khartoum, Sudan (File Photo: Reuters)
Demonstrators attend a protest rally in Khartoum, Sudan (File Photo: Reuters)
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Protests in Sudan Over Worsening Economic Situation

Demonstrators attend a protest rally in Khartoum, Sudan (File Photo: Reuters)
Demonstrators attend a protest rally in Khartoum, Sudan (File Photo: Reuters)

Protests erupted in a number of neighborhoods in the Sudanese capital against soaring inflation, food shortages, and power cuts.

Dozens of demonstrators blocked the streets in Khartoum and Omdurman, setting up barricades and burning tires to voice their anger against the security services’ failure to deal with the chaos.

The soaring prices and difficult economic situations had prompted a number of citizens to denounce the performance of the transitional government, chanting against its policies.

They demanded the authorities achieve the goals of the revolution: freedom, justice, and peace.

The demonstrators said the transitional government failed to hold members of the old regime accountable for their crimes, calling for the announcement of the government, the formation of the legislative council, and retribution for the killers of the revolution's martyrs.

The federal government increased the prices of bread, electricity, fuel, and liquid gas, leading to long queues at the bakeries and gas stations.

The cabinet announced it was lifting the subsidies of basic commodities, in light of a sharp increase in inflation rates, which has reached about 254 percent in December.

The exchange rate of the Sudanese pound fell sharply, as one dollar currently fetches SDG300.

Meanwhile, the head of the Sudanese Congress Party, Omar al-Dukair, called on the transitional government to face the economic crises that caused scarcity and price increase, stressing that protesting is a legitimate right for the people.

He criticized “ignoring the growing protests” and deterioration of economic and security situations, urging the government to address citizens’ demands in a transparent manner.

Dukair said in a press release that people have become used to seeing new announcements about price increase every morning on social media.

The government does not announce its decisions through official channels but rather leaks them to the media, leaving citizens without any explanation for the increase, according to Dukair.

However, he noted that the transitional government inherited a comprehensive national crisis, and economic deterioration is one of its results.

He called on the government to amplify its consultations on the harsh economic reform policies.

Notably, the majority of citizens are discontent with the government's performance and demand a government of “revolutionaries” to address the national crisis, reform the economy, and establish security.

Protesters, who say the current government is a "failure", insist on a civilian rule, stressing that the former regime and Islamists must not return to power.



Yemen's Al-Alimi Urges Limiting Possession of Weapons to State to Focus on Confronting Houthis

Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Dr. Rashad al-Alimi. (Saba)
Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Dr. Rashad al-Alimi. (Saba)
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Yemen's Al-Alimi Urges Limiting Possession of Weapons to State to Focus on Confronting Houthis

Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Dr. Rashad al-Alimi. (Saba)
Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Dr. Rashad al-Alimi. (Saba)

Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Dr. Rashad al-Alimi said on Sunday that his country has entered a new decisive phase in restoring state institutions and ending armed coups.

The process of handing over military camps in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra governorates to legitimate authorities is a step towards imposing state monopoly over weapons, he added.

He made his remarks during a meeting in Riyadh with British Ambassador to Yemen is Abda Sharif.

The formation of a supreme military council will help unify all armed forces and military and security formations under the defense and interior ministries, al-Alimi went on to say.

The formation of the committee sends a message that the state has not veered off its national priorities and that the process to hand over military camps was the right call in protecting the internal front, he stressed.

The move aims to protect the internal front and focus state efforts in confronting the Iran-backed Houthi coup either through peaceful means or war, he added.

He discussed with Sharif the latest local developments and efforts to restore order in the liberated governorates.

He hailed the positive role the UK has played in supporting Yemen's unity and legitimate authorities, as well as peace and humanitarian efforts.

Moreover, al-Alimi described as "brave" the Southern Transitional Council's decision to dissolve itself.

It marked a "pivotal moment that reflects a realization of the sensitivity of the current phase and the danger of sliding into internal conflicts that would weaken the internal front against the confrontation against the real threat," he said.

The next phase demands that all national, civilian and military forces align with the state and legitimate authorities and the rule of law, he demanded.

Al-Alimi also highlighted Saudi Arabia's central role in easing the escalation and sponsoring intra-southern Yemen dialogue. This is an extension of its economic and humanitarian support to Yemen.


Israel Army Issues Evacuation Warning for Lebanon Village ahead of Strikes

 Smoke rises after Israeli strikes following Israeli military's evacuation orders, in Chehour, southern Lebanon November 19, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Hankir
Smoke rises after Israeli strikes following Israeli military's evacuation orders, in Chehour, southern Lebanon November 19, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Hankir
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Israel Army Issues Evacuation Warning for Lebanon Village ahead of Strikes

 Smoke rises after Israeli strikes following Israeli military's evacuation orders, in Chehour, southern Lebanon November 19, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Hankir
Smoke rises after Israeli strikes following Israeli military's evacuation orders, in Chehour, southern Lebanon November 19, 2025. REUTERS/Ali Hankir

The Israeli army issued an evacuation warning on Sunday for the village of Kafr Hatta in southern Lebanon ahead of air strikes on Hezbollah targets in the area, AFP reported.

"The Israeli (army) will soon, and once again, strike terrorist Hezbollah military infrastructure in the village, in order to address the prohibited attempts it is making to rebuild its activities there," Arabic-language spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee wrote on X, posting a map of the expected target.

The Lebanese army said Thursday that it had completed disarming Hezbollah south of the Litani river, the first phase of a nationwide plan. Kafr Hatta is located north of the river.


Sudan PM Announces Govt Return to Khartoum from Wartime Capital

File Photo: Some shops reopen despite extensive damage (Asharq Al-Awsat)
File Photo: Some shops reopen despite extensive damage (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Sudan PM Announces Govt Return to Khartoum from Wartime Capital

File Photo: Some shops reopen despite extensive damage (Asharq Al-Awsat)
File Photo: Some shops reopen despite extensive damage (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Sudan's Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced on Sunday the government's return to Khartoum, after nearly three years of operating from wartime capital of Port Sudan, AFP reported.

"Today, we return, and the Government of Hope returns to the national capital," Idris told reporters in Khartoum, ravaged by the war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces.

"We promise you better services, better healthcare and the reconstruction of hospitals, the development of educational services... and to improve electricity, water and sanitation services," he said.