9 March 2011
Some 500 baton-wielding riot police descended on Abu Janzeer square in Khartoum on Wednesday, attacking and arresting demonstrators as they entered the square, according to an AFP correspondent on the scene.
Among those arrested include the head of Sudan’s Communist Party, Mohammed Ibrahim Lughud.
Other opposition figures were arrested in their homes earlier Wednesday, including Baath Party leader Mohammed Dia al-Din.
The umbrella group of Sudan opposition made a statement on Monday saying that it had rejected the offer for talks with the ruling National Congress Party.
Oppositon groups in North Sudan have called for regime change and civil liberties since January, as the Khartoum government has pursued a zero-tolerance policy against demonstrations.
Witnesses said that 40 women were arrested in Omdurman on Tuesday as they protested against the alleged rape of a female opposition activist last month by security forces.
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