Port Sudan sees renewed mass demonstrations

<p>KHARTOUM (AA) – Popular demonstrations erupted Thursday in Sudan’s eastern city of Port Sudan, where protesters condemned alleged repression by the government and deteriorating economic conditions.</p> <p>Security forces dispersed hundreds of demonstrators with teargas, eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency.</p> <p>In December, the port city saw similar protests that were also dispersed by security forces.</p> <p>Protests began in Sudan on Dec. 19 in 14 of the country’s 18 states, including capital Khartoum. </p> <p>Demonstrators decry rampant inflation and acute commodity shortages. Some have gone so far as calling for the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir.</p> <p>Al-Bashir, who has been in power since 1989, pledged Monday to carry out economic reforms amid ongoing calls by the opposition to protest.</p> <p>A nation of 40 million, Sudan has struggled to recover from the loss of three quarters of its oil output — its main source of foreign currency — when South Sudan seceded in 2011.</p>