Human rights organizations have appealed to Sudanese authorities to rein in the security forces from using arbitrary and unlawful force against people protesting the recent cut in oil and other subsidies.
A wave of protests broke out in Wad Madani on September 23, the day after President Omar al-Bashir announced abolition of fuel and other subsidies, and spread to capital Khartoum, Omdurman, Port Sudan, El Obeid, and other towns. The resulting price hikes are the latest in a series of measures that have negatively affected living conditions across the country.
Many of the protests turned violent as protesters vandalized and set fire to gas stations and police stations, and threw stones at security forces. In response, the police and national security forces fired teargas, rubber bullets, and according to credible reports, live ammunition into the crowds. Sudan has also deployed military forces to contain protests in some locations.
While the situation remains fluid and information is difficult to confirm, the African Center for Justice and Peace Studies and Amnesty International confirmed that at least 50 demonstrators were killed on Tuesday and Wednesday after being shot in the chest or head. The two organizations said in a press release that they were still receiving reports of shootings and excessive use of force. Reports from Sudanese rights groups indicate the death toll exceeds 100, with many more injured.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said that most of those killed were teenagers or in their early twenties.
The organizations expressed deep concern for the hundreds of people reportedly detained by Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) and urged the authorities to ensure that they are protected from torture and other ill-treatment.
In anticipation of and in response to the economic protests across Sudan, national security officers arrested a large number of political opposition party members and activists. HRW said sources in Khartoum reported that 21 opposition party members, including elderly men and women, remain in NISS custody.
"Shooting to kill - including by aiming at protesters' chests and heads - is a blatant violation of the right to life, and Sudan must immediately end this violent repression by its security forces," said Lucy Freeman, Africa Deputy Director at Amnesty International.
Osman Hummaida, Executive Director of the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies, called on the Sudanese government to "immediately establish an investigation into the use of disproportionate force and allegations of the intentional killing of protesters and use of live ammunition by security forces."
Schools and government offices have been closed in Khartoum, and national access to the internet was reportedly cut off for several hours on September 25. Information received by both organizations demonstrates that independent reporting on the demonstrations may have been blocked. Chief editors from a number of Khartoum's newspapers were reportedly summoned by the security services on September 26 and instructed to only publish on the demonstrations if the information came from the police or security. Another newspaper, Al Sudani, was suspended today for allegedly publishing information contrary to the instructions of security services.
Sudanese activists have alleged that pro-government militia are also responsible for some killings. Sudanese officials have denied unlawful killings. The Sudanese authorities have routinely used excessive force against mostly peaceful demonstrations over the last two years.
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Political News
December 19, 2025 15:10 ET U.S. inflation data and interest rate decisions by major central banks were the highlights of this busy week for economics news flow. Employment data and survey results on the housing markets also gained attention in the U.S. In Europe, the European Central Bank and Bank of England announced their policy decisions and macroeconomic projections.