Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir criticized during a visit to Egypt Sunday attempts to copy the “Arab Spring” movement in his country, accusing the media of exaggerating the problem he is facing at home.
“The protests are an attempt to clone the so-called Arab Spring in Sudan,” he said, referring to similarities between slogans used in the uprisings that emerged in the region in 2011.
During a news conference in Cairo following a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, Bashir said: “We explained to the (Egyptian) president what is happening in Sudan now. There is a problem, we are not claiming that there is not. But it’s not of the size or extent raised in some media.”
Since December 19, Sudan has faced unrest after hundreds of Sudanese citizens protested against the deteriorating economic situation, calling for the end of Bashir’s rule.
“The people are alert and will not allow for any intrusion or attempt to destabilize the security of Sudan,” he added.
For his part, Sisi said Bashir’s visit was “the culmination of the numerous efforts we made in the past year to reinforce bilateral relations.”
In Khartoum, authorities tried to disperse a number of sit-ins taking place in public squares in response to an appeal from a professionals’ association that has led calls for protests.
Security forces fired tear gas cannisters at protesters gathered in at least four of the sit-ins, while in others demonstrators tried to block side streets leading to the main squares with rocks and other materials.
Sudanese security forces have deployed tear gas, stun grenades and live ammunition to disperse protests, as well as arresting hundreds of people
Authorities say at least 30 people have died in the unrest while rights groups and local opposition figures say at least 45 have been killed.
