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.



Returnees to Lebanon's Baalbek Plan to Live in Tents Over Home Rubble

Residents check their destroyed neighborhood in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Residents check their destroyed neighborhood in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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Returnees to Lebanon's Baalbek Plan to Live in Tents Over Home Rubble

Residents check their destroyed neighborhood in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Residents check their destroyed neighborhood in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Families from Lebanon’s Deir al-Ahmar and nearby villages celebrated the start of a ceasefire, which allowed them to return home. Packing their belongings quickly into cars, they left behind the hardship of displacement.

“The journey was exhausting... it’s time to leave this nightmare behind,” one returnee said.

Intense bombardment in Baalbek and surrounding areas had forced hundreds to flee their homes, seeking refuge in Christian and Sunni villages in northern Bekaa.

These host communities welcomed them, putting aside political differences. Now, the returning families express heartfelt gratitude for the hospitality they received.

Suleiman, one of the first returnees, said: “We didn’t want to burden our hosts any longer.”

He explained that families in shelters were starting to pack up for their journey home.

“We returned early, leaving some belongings behind in Shlifa. We’ll go back later to collect them and thank our hosts for their kindness,” he added.

The road to Deir al-Ahmar was packed early Wednesday with families heading home. Cars loaded with mattresses, children, and belongings filled the streets. For many, returning is the priority, even if their homes are damaged.

“I found my house destroyed,” said Mohamed, who had been sheltering in Yammouneh.

“I’ll set up a tent over the rubble and live there, even in the cold.”

Others shared the same plan, determined to stay close to their homes, even if it means pitching tents or staying with neighbors and relatives.

Deir al-Ahmar had hosted thousands of displaced people, offering homes and shelters free of charge. Around 12,000 stayed in local shelters, while nearby towns like Qaa, Ras Baalbek, and Arsal took in tens of thousands more.

Some families are also returning from Tripoli, where they fled during the escalation in late September. Mohamed Faitrouni, a driver from northern Bekaa, was thrilled to reunite with his family.

“My wife packed what she could the moment the ceasefire was announced,” he said.

“I’m grateful to the people of Qobbeh, who sheltered my family of eight. Nothing compares to the peace and safety of being home,” added Faitrouni.

Faitrouni is eager to reunite with his family, whom he hasn’t seen since October 4.

“My family is on its way back to Baalbek, and the real joy will be seeing my relatives and children again after more than a month,” he said.

He had to leave Baalbek when his neighbor’s house was destroyed. To keep his family safe from the cold, he rented a modest home in Qobbeh for $300 a month.

“I had to find a safe place to protect my family from the winter,” Faitrouni said.