Developing Story: Reports of an attempted coup in Sudan

By Wasil Ali

July 14, 2007 (KHARTOUM, Sudan) — Reports from Khartoum indicate that the arrest of the opposition party leader Mubarak al-Fadil was as part of a foiled coup attempt.

The Sudanese Security Services held a press conference in Khartoum today saying that al-Fadil was the mastermind behind a “subversion act” in Khartoum.

They said that 14 retired military officers were part of the foiled attempt.

A senior Umma Party official talking to Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity denied any involvement.

Sumaya Idris, wife of Al-Fadil, echoed the denial to Sudan Tribune by phone and said that her husband “is a democratic person and always worked in that direction”.

Asked as to why the Sudanese government is targeting her husband she said that “they are under pressure and they are wary of Umma party reunification going underway”.

Fadil split from the popular Umma Party of his cousin, former Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi, and joined the ruling National Congress Party in early 2003, becoming a presidential advisor.

Sudanese security forces arrested opposition party leader Mubarak al-Fadil and his Umma breakaway party secretary-general without giving any reason, a party official said on Saturday.

(ST)