Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Tuesday accused unnamed elements of exploiting the country’s living difficulty to cause unrest in the country.

Addressing a crowd of citizens in Wad al-Haddad area of Al-Gazira State on Tuesday, al-Bashir described those groups as “traitors, agents, mercenaries and infiltrators” working in favor of Sudan’s enemies.”

Bashir, an Islamist and army officer who came to power via a military coup in 1989, vowed to work for the development of the country.

People have taken to the streets across the country since Wednesday. The protests began initially over rising prices and shortages of food, but later escalated into calls for President Bashir to quit.

The protesters faced a violent crackdown Tuesday in Khartoum, marking the seventh day of demonstrations in Sudan.

Protesters killed

The London-based rights group Amnesty International said it had "credible reports" that Sudanese police have killed 37 protesters in clashes during the demonstrations.

A prominent opposition leader said over the weekend that 22 protesters were killed. The government has acknowledged fatalities without providing details.

In a statement on Monday, the rights group said the use of lethal force by security forces against unarmed protesters was "extremely troubling."