Sudanese Rebel Denies Involvement in Protest Violence

A renowned Sudanese rebel chief is denying the government’s claims that his fighters were responsible for carrying out violence during demonstrations in war-torn Darfur.

Sudan has been rocked by violent protests since 19 December, following the government’s decision to increase the price of bread.

Per reports, between 19 and 37 people have been killed in ensuing clashes with anti-riot police.

Mamoun Hassan, the minister of State for Information, said on Friday, 28 December, that the police had captured a group of Darfur rebels – who belonged to the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdel Wahid group – that allegedly plans to unleash violence during demonstrations.

However, rebel leader Abdel Wahid Al-Nur – who has been fighting Sudanese forces in Darfur since 2003 and is currently in exile in Paris – has denied the allegations.

Al-Nur said: “These demonstrations are of Sudanese people and we are part of them. How can we use violence against our own people?”

He added: “This movement is led by the Sudanese people. We are not leading it.”