Students clashed with police in north Sudan yesterday as youths heeded calls to take to the streets for a day of nationwide anti-government protests, despite a heavy security presence on the ground.

The demonstrations, which coincided with the announcement of preliminary results in south Sudan’s landmark independence referendum and a sixth day of revolt in neighbouring Egypt, saw dozens of people arrested in the capital and the sacking of Khartoum University’s director.

At the Islamic University of Omdurman, Khartoum’s twin city, around 1,000 demonstrators were confronted by riot police as they marched, shouting slogans criticising President Omar al-Bashir, an AFP reporter saw.

“Ocampo, what you have said is right!” they chanted, referring to the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, who has accused Mr Bashir of genocide and war crimes in Darfur.

Clashes broke out, with protesters hurling rocks at police who retaliated with tear gas and batons.

Student members of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) joined the police in some of the clashes, a witness said.

In the northern city of El-Obeid, around 600 kilometres west of Khartoum, riot police again used tear gas to disperse a large group of demonstrators.

About 600 people protested peacefully in the city centre, shouting against the government and the NCP and calling for change, one witness said.

“Riot police used tear gas against them, and dispersed the protest in about 30 minutes,” he added.

The opposition Umma party issued a statement listing the names of more than 40 people detained in connection with yesterday’s protests. Security officials also arrested two journalists, one inside his office, according to a colleague.

The police spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment on the reported arrests.

In central Khartoum, a group of youths gathered near the presidential palace, chanting: “We want change! No to the high price of goods!” before riot police chased the protesters, arresting at least five.