More than 800 detained in ongoing Sudan demos: Official

KHARTOUM (AA) - More than 800 people have been detained in more than two weeks of protests that have shaken Sudan since Dec. 19, Interior Minister Ahmed Bilal said Monday.

Bilal made the remarks at a parliamentary session convened to discuss the demonstrations and the authorities’ response to the ongoing crisis.

According to the minister, 19 people have reportedly been killed in the demonstrations, including two police officers.

“As many as 127 policemen have been injured, while 118 government facilities -- including 14 police facilities -- have been damaged,” he said.

Bilal went on to accuse demonstrators of engaging in “sabotage” and of receiving support from “covert parties”.

Protesters voice frustration with the country’s dire economic situation and the government’s failure to remedy acute commodity shortages.

Last week, President Omar al-Bashir -- in power since 1989 -- pledged to carry out economic reforms amid ongoing calls by the opposition to protest.

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.