Sudan's parliament approved a six-month state of emergency on Monday, shortening the initial one-year term mandated by President Omar al-Bashir to address escalating protests.
The move followed widespread demonstrations that began in December 2018 after the government announced a tripling of bread prices, sparking nationwide rallies against al-Bashir's three-decade rule. The protests have resulted in at least 51 deaths, according to Human Rights Watch, with officials reporting 31 fatalities.
Parliamentary lawmakers, predominantly from the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), voted to implement the six-month emergency after a committee recommended the reduction. The measure was initially declared by al-Bashir on February 22 amid failed efforts to suppress the unrest.
Analysts described the protests as the most significant challenge to al-Bashir's administration in decades, with demonstrators demanding political reforms and economic stability.
