Sudan: Protests Continue Amid Financial Constraints

Protests in Sudan reached a new level of intensity June 29 when 400-500 worshippers emerged from the Imam Abdel Rahman Mosque in Omdurman after Friday prayers and were attacked by police using non-lethal ammunition and tear gas. The protests began two weeks earlier, prompted by inflation, economic problems and austerity measures Khartoum implemented to offset lower oil revenues.

The groups involved in the protests have a wide variety of interests and demands, with some wanting to oust Sudanese President Omar al Bashir or the entire al Bashir regime. The protests, which so far involve only a few thousand participants across the country, probably will continue and become more frequent, but Khartoum's ability to contain the demonstrations will limit their effectiveness. Only in the unlikely event that Khartoum's security apparatus becomes less effective because of financial strain would it become possible for the protest movement to accomplish regime change.