Protest in working class area of Khartoum

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Hundreds of protesters turned out to demonstrate against President Omar al-Bashir’s rule in a densely populated neighbourhood of Khartoum before being dispersed by security forces, witnesses said.

The protesters in the working class area Kalakla in south Khartoum chanted slogans including “Freedom, peace, justice and revolution are the people’s choice”, before security forces fired tear gas and chased demonstrators down side streets.

Near daily demonstrations triggered by a worsening economic crisis spread across Sudan since December 19, the most prolonged challenge to Bashir’s rule since he took power in a coup in 1989.

Protests continue despite a crackdown in which officials say 24 people were killed. Activists say at least 40 were killed. On Monday Bashir insisted he would not step down, saying Sudan’s economic problems would not be solved by “vandalism”.