SUDAN has announced that more than 800 arrests have been made during the three weeks of unrest in the country as opposition to the authoritarian regime of President Omar al-Bashir continues.

Interior Minister Ahmed Bilal Othman confirmed the arrest of 816 people in a report to parliament yesterday, adding that 381 demonstrations had taken place since December 19.

A poorly attended pro-regime demonstration in Kassala was dwarfed by thousands who took to the streets of major towns and cities across Sudan including Gedarif, Wad Madani, Port Sudan, Dongola, El Obeid, El Fasher, Omdurman and the capital Khartoum.

Officials have promised new measures, including better access to healthcare and pensions for public-sector workers, in a bid to quell the discontent.

However, security forces have opened fire on protesters. Activists and medical workers say at least 40 people have been killed, the government put the figure at just 19.

The protests began over a rise in bread prices but broadened out to demand that Mr Bashir, who came to power in a coup 29 years ago, stand down.

Five members of the Sudanese Communist Party central committee — Masoud Ali, Hanadi Fadl, Tariq Abdul-Majeed, Dr Sied Ahmed Alkhateeb and Dr Amal Gaberalla — have been arrested by the authorities for taking a leading role in the protests.

Scores of medics and journalists have also been detained, with newspaper runs stopped and the internet blocked. Some foreign news organisations have been expelled from the country.

Human Rights Watch spokesman Jehanne Henry said: “Sudanese [people] have the right to protest peacefully and express their views without risking life or limb or getting locked up.”