Sudan opposition vows protests amid public anger

KHARTOUM

Sudanese opposition groups vowed Monday to continue protests for the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir amid public anger over chronic economic woes.

"Our cause is sincere and we will not lose hope even if demonstrations continue for years,” the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) said in a statement on its official Facebook page.

"We know that the regime and its leaders are seeking to dissuade the revolutionary groups from their demands to overthrow al-Bashir and his regime."

The association said protesters will stage two rallies in the district of Haj Yousif, north of Khartoum, and Ambeda district in Omdurman on Tuesday.

"Next Thursday will be a new path of revolution, with the participation of all the cities and villages in Sudan," it said.

The association has spearheaded protests against the Sudanese regime since December over rampant inflation and price hikes, amid calls for al-Bashir to step down.

According to government statements, more than 20 people have been killed in clashes between demonstrators and security forces since the protests.

Opposition groups, for their part, put the death toll at closer to 40.

In power since 1989, al-Bashir has pledged to carry out urgent economic reforms amid ongoing calls by the opposition to continue demonstrating.

A nation of 40 million, Sudan has struggled to recover from the loss of some three quarters of its oil output -- its main source of foreign currency -- since the secession of South Sudan in 2011.