Students Stage Anti-Government Protest in East Sudan

Students in eastern Sudan held anti-government rallies protesting against poverty and rising food prices. They were chanting "people are hungry," and "people want the overthrow of the government," one witness said. Hundreds of students took to the streets in Kassala late Sunday night. It is said that another protest was held with students two weeks ago as well where students initially demanded better study conditions. Since then anger has risen due to high inflation and lack of economic development. However, last week Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir visited the city to announce new governmental projects in the region. Sudan has been struggling since its civil war with South Sudan that took must of the oil production away which has since driven up inflation. Analysts claim little has been done to diversify Sudan's economy due to US trade embargo, lack of planning, and corruption.

Kourtney Macaluso

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2011/10/30/world/africa/international-us-sudan-protest.html?ref=global-home