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| Sudan arrests spark south unrest | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Several senior southern Sudanese politicians have been arrested during a rally, sparking widespread anger. | |
| 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. |
| Within hours protesters in two towns in the south had set alight offices of President Omar al-Bashir's National Congress Party (NCP). | |
| The SPLM joined a power-sharing government in 2005 to end 22 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. |
| But tensions have been rising between the SPLM and the NCP in recent months | But tensions have been rising between the SPLM and the NCP in recent months |
| 'We want freedom' | 'We want freedom' |
| Next year's vote will be the first presidential, parliamentary and local elections in 24 years. | Next year's vote will be the first presidential, parliamentary and local elections in 24 years. |
| 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 and its neighbouring city Omdurman 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. |
| Mr Amum was arrested along with his deputy Yasir Arman and other SPLM figures - with unconfirmed reports claiming dozens of protesters were also detained. | Mr Amum was arrested along with his deputy Yasir Arman and other SPLM figures - with unconfirmed reports claiming dozens of protesters were also detained. |
| Following the arrests, protesters in the southern towns of Rumbek and Wau set fire to NPC offices. | Following the arrests, protesters in the southern towns of Rumbek and Wau set fire to NPC offices. |
| Deteriorating relations | Deteriorating relations |
| After the crackdown SPLM members accused the NCP of suppressing free speech. | After the crackdown SPLM members accused the NCP of suppressing free speech. |
| Pagan Amum and his deputy were among those arrested by police | 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. | 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. | 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. |