SUDANESE communists called for international support after at least five people were killed and 80 injured at a mass anti-government demonstration in Khartoum on Wednesday.

Security forces blocked a march in the capital, arresting scores of protesters including five members of the Sudanese Communist Party’s central committee.

Journalists started a two-day strike yesterday in support of the movement, joining doctors who walked out on Monday as the anti-government demonstrations continue to grow.

Protests started in towns and villages on December 19 after the price of bread was trebled and the unrest soon spread to Khartoum. 

Anger over an economic crisis which has seen inflation running as high as 70 per cent has led to demands for the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in a 1989 coup.

Sudanese authorities have responded to the protests with violence and opposition groups say at least 37 people have been killed in the ensuing clashes.

The Sudanese Journalists’ Network said yesterday: “We declare a three-day strike from December 27 to protest against the violence unleashed by the government against demonstrators.”

They warned of a “barbaric” assault on press freedoms, including censorship and confiscation of newspapers by the powerful National Intelligence and Security Service.

Armed forces prevented Wednesday’s mass demonstration from reaching the Republican Palace, where it planned to present a list of demands to Mr Bashir, urging him to stand down.

Live bullets were fired as pitched battles spilled onto the main roads and side streets of Khartoum, with five killed and at least 80 suffering serious injury.

Mr Bashir has responded to the outburst of popular anger by promising reforms, but he has failed to implement measures that address extreme levels of poverty created by the financial crisis.

The trade union coalition that has led the protests warned that the Sudanese people “have crossed the point of no return on the path of change.”

It promised to “pursue all options of peaceful, popular actions … until we bring down the regime that continues to shed blood.

“Today, more than any time before, we are confident in our collective ability to realise that.”

In a statement, the Sudanese Communist Party called on “all fraternal parties to intensify their support initiatives as the struggle of our people is reaching higher levels.

“We urge the Sudanese people to continue their demonstrations until success is achieved by overthrowing the regime.

“We also call on all opposition parties to unite and work together to co-ordinate this movement.”