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Thousands in Sudan demand end to Bashir's rule despite clampdown

Sudanese protesters took to the streets of the capital Khartoum calling for President Omar al-Bashir to resign

Thousands of Sudanese protesters took to the streets of the capital Khartoum late on Sunday, chanting "freedom" and renewing calls for President Omar al-Bashir to resign.

The demonstrations, which began after fuel subsidies were cut last week, have been the most widespread in Sudan since President Bashir seized power 24 years ago.

Waving pictures of slain protesters, thousands held a Sunday-night memorial for Salah al-Sanhouri, a demonstrator shot on Friday during an earlier protest in Khartoum.

Women called for the "downfall of the regime" and chanted "freedom, peace and justice, revolution is the choice of people."

Residents cheered on the marchers from rooftops while nearby security forces watched from jeeps with mounted machine guns.

"The protests will continue and will reach a general strike. This is our aim," said Ghazi al-Sanhouri, a nephew of the slain protester.

"We will keep uncovering the regime's brutal tactics in suppressing the protests by killings and atrocities."

Mr Sanhouri's father said: "this regime will come to an end ... God willing it will be over."

The government, which has imposed a media blackout, have moved to buy off demonstrators with cash , saying it would distribute money to half a million families to offset higher fuel and food prices.

It will distribute one-off payments to families in need, raise the minimum wage and boost public-sector salaries.

Social Solidarity Minister Mashair al-Dawlab ordered half a million families to be given 150 Sudanese pound (£20) aid packages in early October.

He said that public-sector salary increases would start at the same time.

Sudanese authorities have forced the country's largest daily newspaper, al-Intibaha, to stop printing.

Newspapers have came under pressure to depict demonstrators as "saboteurs."

The government has also closed the offices of Gulf-based satellite networks al-Arabiya and Sky News Arabia.

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