Bashir: Sudan's summer will 'burn' enemies

KHARTOUM, Sudan, July 12 (UPI) -- Demonstrators expressing frustration with the Sudanese government won't be able to change the nature of the regime, the country's president said.

Student protests in Khartoum erupted June 17 as the government announced plans to move forward with austerity measures.

Sudan's economy was hurt by South Sudan's independence last year. Sudan, as part of the deal, maintained authority over export routes while South Sudan took control over most of the regional oil fields. South Sudan in January halted oil production to protest Khartoum.

Opposition leaders said Sudanese security forces fired tear-gas canisters at protesters during demonstrations in late June. U.S. officials said force was no way to deal with economic problems.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said those in the country who were waiting "for foreign support" would not see it develop "because Sudan has a hot summer that will burn its enemies and grill them," the independent Sudan Tribune reports.

A joint statement from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International this week estimated around 2,000 demonstrators have been rounded up since protests first erupted in June. They said some of the detainees were likely abused while in custody.