Sudan detains opposition figures amid calls to protest

KHARTOUM

At least 13 opposition figures were arrested on Friday amid renewed calls for popular protests against the country’s worsening economic situation, Sudan’s opposition National Consensus Forces (NCF) has said.

The spate of detentions comes in advance of expected calls by the NCF for the unification of Sudanese opposition groups against the regime of President Omar al-Bashir, the NCF said in a statement.

An umbrella group of various opposition parties, the NCF includes the Sudanese Communist Party and the Baath Party, among others.

Meanwhile, calls have mounted to hold countrywide demonstrations following Friday prayers.

On Thursday, Khartoum announced that at least 19 people had been killed in Sudan -- and more than 400 injured -- since protests erupted on Dec. 19.