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Protesters at Sudanese Funeral Call for 'Revolution'


Sudan - South Sudan map
Sudan - South Sudan map
Sudanese police have fired tear gas at protesters who called for "revolution" on Wednesday, following the funeral for a student demonstrator.

The chanting demonstrators took to the streets in Khartoum, after about 1,000 people turned out for the funeral of student Ali Abaker Mussa Idris.

Idris died on Tuesday from injuries sustained during a protest against violence in the Darfur region.

On Wednesday, some protesters shouted "revolution is the people's choice" and called for the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir's government. Reuters news says some of the demonstrators threw stones at police.

It is unclear how the student died. He was attending a protest at the University of Khartoum. Amnesty International says the student died of gunshot wounds after security forces used live ammunition and tear gas on demonstrators.

In a statement, the Sudanese government said police only used tear gas during the protest.

On Monday, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was deeply concerned about escalating violence in Darfur region. The U.N. said attacks in the region have forced more than 45,000 to flee their homes.

Conflict has ravaged Darfur since 2003, when mainly non-Arab rebels took up arms against the country's Arab-led government. The move has led to reprisal attacks by government-backed militias.

The conflict has eased in recent years but battles between rival communities have now become more prevalent.
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