Sudan police tear gas anti-government protest in Kassala: witnesses

Protesters chanting "Freedom, justice and peace" took to the streets in downtown Kassala but were swiftly confronted by riot police, witnesses told AFP by telephone.

It came just days after crowds held a rally in the town in support of President Omar al-Bashir.

Witnesses said that as protesters came into the streets, shopkeepers shut their shops in the town's main market.

Deadly protests have rocked Sudan since December 19 when angry people demonstrated in towns and villages against a government decision to raise the price of bread.

At least 24 people have died in the protests that have swiftly turned into nationwide rallies in which demonstrators have called on Bashir to step down.