Clashes in Sudan over austerity

• "Leave, Bashir, leave!" they chant as they protest in the capital
• President urges citizens to understand the new harsh austerity measures
• The nation's Inflation has gone up by 30%, finance minister says

Khartoum, Sudan (CNN) -- Sudanese protesters clashed with riot police in the capital of Khartoum on Saturday as crowds rallied for a seventh day against government spending cuts and austerity measures.

Police used batons to disperse the protests, which started as student demonstrations in the capital and expanded into nationwide rallies.

Burned tires, stones and tattered banners lay strewn across the capital following days of protests that escalated after prayers Friday with crowds calling for the toppling of President Omar al-Bashir.

Police surrounded mosques as men in white turbans and traditional clothing marched down the streets after prayers. South of the capital, protesters cut off roads and set police trucks on fire.

"Leave, Bashir, leave!" they chanted. "Khartoum, people please revolt against humiliation and dictatorship."

In a televised speech on state media last week, al-Bashir urged citizens to understand the new harsh austerity measures, which lifted fuel subsidies and cut the Cabinet by half to reduce expenses.

Sudan has faced soaring inflation since it separated with South Sudan a year ago -- taking with it over 70% of Sudan's oil reserves.

The nation's Inflation has gone up by 30%, according to Sudanese finance Minister Ali Mahmud.

Protesters have vowed to hold mass rallies on June 30th, when the ruling party celebrates 24 years in power.

Organizers are calling for mass action using social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, where they are posting pictures and details of upcoming protests.

The government has described the weeklong protests as small and urged citizens to avoid them. Government officials were not immediately available for comment.

In January, last year, similar protests broke out after students in the nation vowed to replicate the Arab Spring that has swept over the Middle East. The government cracked down on those protests.