Sudan stands firm on fuel rise despite riots

Sudan vowed Sunday to stand firm on its decision to hike fuel prices, despite days of deadly protests and criticism from within the ruling party and from hardline Islamic leaders. Authorities say 33 people have died since petrol and diesel prices jumped last Monday, sparking the worst protests in the history of President Omar al-Bashir's regime. Activists and international human rights groups say at least 50 people were gunned down, most of them in the greater Khartoum area. The real toll is difficult to determine but "could be as much as 200," one foreign diplomat told AFP. "They are shooting to kill," he said, asking for anonymity. The government has "stepped over a line," disgusting many Sudanese, the diplomat added. "They've lost any last vestiges of respect they had for this government." A riot police truck, siren blaring, raced towards central Khartoum on Sunday and smoke rose from the east and south of the city, but it was not immediately possible to confirm whether new protests had occurred. In Khartoum's twin city Omdurman riot police and security forces were on the streets in large numbers. Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman told AFP there was no going back on the fuel price hikes. "No, it is not possible at all. This is the only way out," he said in a telephone interview. Bilal said authorities had to intervene when crowds turned violent. "This is not (a) demonstration," he said. "They attacked the gas stations. They burned about 21." There are widespread suspicions that regime-linked forces committed the arson and "gave the government an excuse to clamp down," the diplomat said. The government knew "riots" would occur if the cost of fuel went up but reducing subsidies would save billions of dollars, Bilal said. "Our economy cannot tolerate such support," he said. "We have to carry on. We know it is a bit heavy for the people." Arab Spring-style calls for the regime's downfall began after pump prices soared last Monday by more than 60 percent. Sudan's most popular newspaper, an outspoken critic of the decision to cut subsidies, said it had been ordered to stop publishing. Al-Intibaha is run by Bashir's uncle, Al-Tayeb Mustafa, who told AFP that state security agents gave no reason for the suspension. Journalists have complained of worsening censorship since the protests began. Fuel prices had already almost doubled last year after a partial lifting of subsidies. Sudan lost billions of dollars in oil receipts when South Sudan gained independence in 2011, taking with it about 75 percent of the formerly united country's crude production. Since then the north has been plagued by inflation, a weakened currency and a severe shortage of dollars to pay for imports. The country falls near the bottom of a United Nations human development index measuring income, health and education. It also ranked among the lowest of 176 countries in Transparency International's index of perceived public sector corruption last year. Officials in the Khartoum area on Sunday extended a school closure, in effect since the protests began, until October 20, official media said. Classes had been expected to resume on Monday. Residents say they have been struggling with rising prices for two years. Yet, until last week when thousands began protesting mainly in the capital, the poor had largely failed to take to the streets. But the middle class has also joined the demonstrations "and I think that's what rattled the government more," the diplomat said. Reformers in the ruling National Congress Party on Saturday told Bashir that the deadly crackdown was a betrayal of his regime's Islamic foundations. Hardline Islamic religious leaders called on the government to reverse the fuel price increase. In a statement late Saturday they advised the regime "to turn back to God and provide justice." Bilal said that even though fuel subsidies have been cut, financial support will remain on wheat and medicine. He added that compensatory measures aim to ease the burden as fuel prices rise. About 700,000 poor families receive handouts of about 150 Sudanese pounds a month ($20) along with medical insurance, he said. The opposition Umma Party led by Sadiq al-Mahdi on Sunday said it stood with the protesters and urged all opposition parties to take to the streets and remove the regime. The Communist Party called for sit-ins, while the opposition Baath Party said six of its leaders were arrested at their homes on Saturday night. Activists say Sudan's opposition is divided, and its ageing leadership fails to generate much enthusiasm among the wider populace.