Turkish Foreign Ministry issues travel warning on Sudan

ANKARA

Cars burn in front of a building during protests over fuel subsidy cuts in Khartoum Sept. 25. REUTERS photo

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has issued a travel warning on Sudan due to the latest unrest, mostly concentrated in the capital Khartoum and urban areas, which was precipitated by the recent cancelation of fuel subsidies by the government. 
 
At least 29 people have died during the demonstrations, according to official sources, as protests enter their second week.
 
“It has been observed that the demonstrations taking place in several cities in Sudan, particularly in the capital Khartoum, have taken a turn that affects the security of our citizens in that country; it would be considered [prudent] for our citizens to avoid traveling to Sudan unless they are constrained to do so,” a Foreign Ministry statement published late Sept. 27 said.
 
The statement also urged the Turkish citizens who are in Sudan to take every precaution possible for their personal security.
 
The latest unrest was sparked on Sept. 23 after the government announced a fresh set of fuel subsidy cutbacks, causing pump prices to almost double overnight.
 
Similar protests broke out in June last year after the government reduced fuel subsidies as part of a plan to contain the climbing deficit, but they ended after a severe crackdown on protesters.