The chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has called for restraint following violent anti-government protests in Sudan.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Moussa said he has followed with increasing concern the unfolding political developments in Sudan, which has witnessed violence and death on the streets of its cities, wanton destruction, alongside arrests of several opposition figures.

He called upon all sides to exercise utmost restraint in the coming period, stressing that this is a testing period in the history of Sudan.

The top AU official reminded the Sudanese political leaders of their collective responsibility to pursue peaceful avenues for addressing the country's pressing challenges.

Sudanese police today used tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters after they began to march toward the presidential palace in Khartoum to press their demands for President Omar al-Bashir to quit.

 The demonstrators chanted, “The people want to bring down the regime.”

Monday’s demonstrations were called for by the Association of Sudanese Professionals.

Bashir, who has governed Sudan since 1989, said in a meeting with top police officers on Sunday that his government would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the stability of the country.

The London-based rights group Amnesty International has said it has “reliable reports” that 37 protesters were killed in the protests, which began on 19 December. The government admitted that at least 19 people were killed.