Khartoum - follow the news if you're heading there.

[McCrankpin]

Spoke by phone with my daughter in Khartoum about midnight (local time) last night (Friday). She said things had "kicked off."

She's a teacher, and she and other teachers had had trouble getting home, taxis had disappeared, difficult to find one.
Sound of gunfire in the streets.

Two teachers had not reached home, unaccounted for at that time.
Another teacher, at home, had ventured onto her balcony to see what was happening. Witnessed police arriving in the street, shooting at apartments, witnessed someone shot on another balcony.
Everyone is now staying indoors.

Reuters carried news of demonstrations at around midnight, no mention of gunfire but use of tear gas. Nothing on BBC.

Caroline believes tourist visas are not being issued (but being in the country, difficult to know for sure).

Today (Saturday 23rd), about midday she SMS-ed.
More demos today than yesterday. Still sound of gunfire on the streets. No one venturing outside. Two teachers from yesterday reached home OK.

Still nothing on BBC but Reuters and CNN carrying news of ongoing demos today. Here:

Sudanese protest over cuts amid security crackdown | News by Country | Reuters

Sudanese protest against government cutbacks - CNN.com

Maybe it's not significant - best to check all the news you can if heading that way.
There are permanent machine-gun emplacements at major road junctions near the bridges - perhaps they're firing into the air.

Internet not working much and phones intermittent. SMS seems to work OK.

Also, most banks in UK won't now accept salary payments from Sudan employers (in GBP). As of last week. Something to do with new sanctions.

[roamingyak]

Al Jiz probably has some coverage:

Africa - Al Jazeera English

eg;
Has springtime finally arrived in Sudan? - Inside Story - Al Jazeera English
Sudan police chief orders protest crackdown - Africa - Al Jazeera English
Sudan police disperse anti-austerity protests - Africa - Al Jazeera English
Sudan sees rise in anti-government protests - Africa - Al Jazeera English

[megardt]

Hi!

We'll be passing through Khartoum tomorrow, I'll try to report on how safe it felt. Will not be stopping unless we have to.

Mats

[megardt]

Hi!

Almost forgot to update you on Khartoum.

We drove through Khartoum without any problems. Took a while to find diesel but not worse than Egypt.

Everyone was friendly, we saw neither weapons nor demonstrations. We did not venture out at night though.

Mats

[McCrankpin]

Thanks for sending in the update. Good to hear all was OK. Sudan's a nice place - it's a pity if things happen that cause visitors to travel through quickly.

I don't have a contact on the ground now. My daughter got a new job in Kigale (Rwanda) a while ago - the evening I phoned her (last Friday) was her leaving do at work. She flew to Kigale Monday.

The news channels (Reuters) haven't reported any demos since Wednesday, in the east.

Update - Al Jazeera reports that demos have been called for today (Friday) in Khartoum.

Now switching to Rwandan news.....

[roamingyak]

"Anti-government protests intensify in Sudan"

I'm not sure what 'side' El Jiz is on with Sudan, they backed the invasion of Libya and replaced the head guy with somebody more compliant. So this could be true, or more propaganda friendly to the US etc..........?

Anti-government protests intensify in Sudan - Africa - Al Jazeera English

It must be bloody hot protesting in June/July in Khartoum!!!