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An Embattled Bashir Dances as Sudanese Rage Over Prices

  • Government has faced weeks of demonstrations across the nation
  • At least 19 people have died, hundreds have been arrested
Omar al-Bashir performs with his cane as he addresses a rally of his supporters in Khartoum on Jan. 9.

Omar al-Bashir performs with his cane as he addresses a rally of his supporters in Khartoum on Jan. 9.

Photographer: Ashraf Shazly/AFP via Getty Images

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Sudan’s embattled long-time president Omar al-Bashir danced a jig on stage and told thousands of supporters that elections are the only way out of the current crisis, as he looked to reverse a tide of protests that have swept across the impoverished nation.

In a televised rally in Khartoum, the capital, Bashir rejected calls to step down, saying there “are those who conspire against Sudan and seek to attack it.” There are no other options but a national dialog and elections, he said, as chants broke out of: “There is no alternative to al-Bashir.”