FURTHER CLASHES - REPORT OF ONE DEATH

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002056 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR AF/SPG AND AF/EPS PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR AFR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC EAID ECON SU SUBJECT: FURTHER CLASHES - REPORT OF ONE DEATH Ref: A) Khartoum 2007 B) Khartoum 2009 C) Khartoum 2046 ¶1. Police and demonstrators clashed on August 30 with police reportedly using tear gas to disperse the protesters in the area near the University of Khartoum. There was an unconfirmed report that one protester had been killed. ¶2. Opposition parties attempted to organize a demonstration on the afternoon of August 30 to protest the recent increases in the prices of gasoline, diesel and sugar (ref C). Protesters gathered to march in central Khartoum at about 14:00 local time. Students from the University of Khartoum joined in the march. The protesters were reportedly dispersed by riot control police using tear gas. Unconfirmed reports are that one person was killed. As of 16:00 local time, police are reported to still be chasing demonstrators in the University area. ¶3. Consular officer spoke with a lawyer on the faculty of the University, and could hear the sound of tear gas canisters exploding in the background. The sound of sirens could be heard at the Embassy, several blocks away. HUME