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South Sudan politicians arrested South Sudan politicians arrested
(about 1 hour later)
Senior figures in southern Sudan's main political party have been arrested after they joined a banned rally. Several senior southern Sudanese politicians have been arrested during a rally against President Omar al-Bashir's National Congress Party (NCP).
Among those held in Khartoum was the secretary general of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), Pagan Amum.Among those held in Khartoum was the secretary general of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), Pagan Amum.
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the protesters, who want reforms to election laws before national polls due vote next April. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters, who want electoral reforms before national polls due next April.
The SPLM joined a power-sharing government in 2005 to end 21 years of conflict between north and south Sudan. The SPLM joined a power-sharing government in 2005 to end 22 years of conflict between north and south Sudan.
Next year's vote will be the first presidential, parliamentary and local elections in 24 years and tensions have been rising between the SPLM and President Omar al-Bashir's National Congress Party (NCP) in recent months. 'We want freedom'
Next year's vote will be the first presidential, parliamentary and local elections in 24 years and tensions have been rising between the SPLM and the NCP in recent months.
Monday is the final day for voters to register for the election, and the government declared it a public holiday in an effort to encourage a good turnout.Monday is the final day for voters to register for the election, and the government declared it a public holiday in an effort to encourage a good turnout.
But the SPLM and the NCP have failed to agree on changes to the election laws.But the SPLM and the NCP have failed to agree on changes to the election laws.
And about 20 opposition parties called for a gathering in front of the parliament building in the capital to demand electoral reform.And about 20 opposition parties called for a gathering in front of the parliament building in the capital to demand electoral reform.
Hundreds of demonstrators turned out, watched by lines of armed police.Hundreds of demonstrators turned out, watched by lines of armed police.
The AFP news agency reported that demonstrators marched through Khartoum waving placards and chanting: "We want our freedom." The AFP news agency reported that demonstrators marched through Khartoum and its neighbouring city Omdurman waving placards and chanting: "We want our freedom."
As the protest grew - with some reports estimating thousands of people had joined the rally - police fired tear gas and beat the protesters with batons.As the protest grew - with some reports estimating thousands of people had joined the rally - police fired tear gas and beat the protesters with batons.
SPLM members accused the NCP of suppressing free speech. Mr Amum was arrested along with his deputy Yasir Arman and other SPLM figures - with unconfirmed reports claiming dozens of protesters were also detained.
But Interior Ministry officials said the protest was outlawed because the organisers had failed to apply for permission to hold the event. Deteriorating relations
After the crackdown SPLM members accused the NCP of suppressing free speech.
Pagan Amum and his deputy were among those arrested by police
But interior ministry officials said the protest was outlawed because the organisers had failed to apply for permission to hold the event.
The BBC's James Copnall, in Omdurman, says the argument over electoral laws and the crackdown on protesters show a deteriorating relationship between the NCP and its detractors.
A 22-year war between the mainly Muslim north and the Christian and animist south claimed the lives of 1.5 million people.A 22-year war between the mainly Muslim north and the Christian and animist south claimed the lives of 1.5 million people.
Semi-autonomous southern Sudan has been controlled by the SPLM since a peace deal in 2005 ended the civil war.Semi-autonomous southern Sudan has been controlled by the SPLM since a peace deal in 2005 ended the civil war.
A referendum on whether the south should secede in due in 2011.A referendum on whether the south should secede in due in 2011.