Sudan detains nine opposition leaders ahead of new protests

Sudanese authorities detained at least nine opposition leaders and activists, a committee of civil society groups said in a statement, ahead of new anti-government protests expected on Friday.

Authorities raided a meeting of opposition leaders in Khartoum, the committee of professional organisations involved in the protests said.

Nine people, including Siddiq Youssef, a senior leader of Sudan's Communist Party, were arrested, as well as leaders from the pan-Arab Baath and Nasserist parties.

The head of the Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service's media office denied knowledge of the arrests.

Angry crowds have taken to the streets in the capital Khartoum and several other cities since 19 December, leading to a crackdown by security forces in which dozens of protesters have been killed.

Activists and opposition groups in Sudan have called on people to take to the streets again over the next few days.

Protesters in several cities have adopted the slogan used in the 2011 Arab Spring - "the people want the fall of the regime" - and attacked offices of the ruling party.

Sudan is mired in economic difficulties including an acute foreign currency shortage and soaring inflation.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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