Bashir Declares Emergency, Dissolves Central, State Governments

Protests in Sudan continued on Sunday after President Omar Bashir declared a state of emergency, reports the Sudan Tribune (Paris). 

At least three people were shot on Sunday as security personnel used tear gas, batons and live rounds to disperse protests in Omdurman, the sister city of Khartoum, the capital, said the Central Committee of the Sudanese Doctors. 

On Friday, President Bashir declared a one-year state of emergency and appointed military rulers for the country's 18 states. 

Bashir also replaced his vice president with former Defense Minister Gen. Awad Mohammed Ibn Auf, reported the Voice of America News. Mohammed Taher Eyla will become the new prime minister. 

Opposition groups said the moves were an attempt to silence popular demands for Bashir to step and urged demonstrations to continue, reported Reuters.

The appointment of military governors indicated that the armed forces were holding power and also showed that Bashir was distancing himself from Islamist political parties in an effort to reassure regional allies, said experts. 

Protests began on Dec. 19 against the rising cost of bread but have morphed into a broader movement against Bashir, who has ruled since 1993. 

At least 30 people have been killed, according to official counts, though opposition source say the real figures are higher.