Sudan police clash with demonstrators in three cities

Sudanese security forces clashed with protesters in three cities on Sunday (Jan. 13) as demonstrations against Omar al-Bashir's rule continued for a fourth week, Reuters reported.

In Khartoum North, across the Blue Nile from the centre of the capital, security forces chased groups of protesters down side streets and fired tear gas to disperse demonstrations in several areas, a Reuters witness said.

They also confronted protesters with tear gas in Wad Medani, the capital of Gezira state, southeast of the capital, and for the first time in Nyala, the main city in South Darfur, witnesses said.

Protests triggered by an economic crisis have rippled across Sudan since Dec. 19 in the most sustained challenge yet to Bashir's close to 30-year rule.

Security forces have used live ammunition and tear gas to break up demonstrations, as well as arresting protesters and opposition figures.

In Khartoum North on Sunday hundreds of people braved a heavy security presence to protest despite police and other security personnel trying to clear the area ahead of the rally.

"We will continue to demonstrate until Bashir falls ... the country needs change," one 36-year-old protester told Reuters.

A government fact-finding committee has recorded 24 deaths and Amnesty International has said that at least 40 have died.