Protetsts in Sudan continue

 Protests in Atbara (Photo Reuters)

Protests in parts of Sudan continued for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday, as doctors prepared to strike over the rising cost of bread and fuel.  

At least 10 people have been killed since the demonstrations began on Wednesday after the government hiked the price of a loaf of bread from one Sudanese pound to three (about $0.02 to $0.06). 

Protesters are calling for President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to step down. 

On Sunday, residents in Um Rawaba, 200km southwest of the capital Khartoum, told AFP news agency that some 600 people gathered in the market chanting, "the people want the fall of the regime".
Protesters burnt tyres and branches in the streets and attempted to storm a government building before being rebuffed by security officials, witnesses said.
In Atabara, 300km northeast of the capital, riot police and plain-clothed operatives deployed tear gas against hundreds of protesters, a witness said.

Police also fired tear gas on protesters in Khartoum after hundreds of protesters blocked a road in the centre of the city late on Sunday. Earlier in the day, there was a tense calm as schools and universities were shuttered by a nation-wide government suspension, and riot police equipped with batons and tear gas guarded buildings.
"We were asked to leave this morning," said a university student from northern Khartoum. 
Sudanese queued outside bakeries in the city, where vendors were refusing to sell more than 20 loaves of bread per person.
"I have a big family and this bread is not enough for three daily meals," a local resident told AFP.
A bakery worker said a security guard standing nearby was not allowing the shop to sell any more.