Sudanese opposition slam visit by spy chief to UK

June 17, 2010 (LONDON) — More than a dozen Sudanese opposition groups in the United Kingdom protested what they revealed was an upcoming visit by the director of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Mohamed Atta Al-Moula Abbas to London.

“The Alliance finds this visit provocative and hurtful to the feelings of all those who were forced to leave Sudan as a result of the NISS persecution and repression. We equally call upon all civic societies and legal bodies to voice their concern and take all measures that could bring this visitor to justice as being a perpetrator and executioner of genocide, persecution and repression,” said a statement by the representatives of the opposition parties in London.

“The Alliance of Sudanese Opposition Forces in the UK and Ireland cordially call upon the British authorities to deport this unwelcomed visitor as his position as head of the NISS is on a par with heinous atrocities against innocent civilians in Darfur, Port Sudan and Kajbar”.

There was no official confirmation of the visit.

Abbas was appointed to his post less than a year ago as a successor to Salah Gosh who was removed in a surprise move by Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir. Many rights groups accuse Gosh for the atrocities committed in Sudan’s Western region of Darfur.

Gosh admitted in 2004 that the government armed the notorious Janjaweed militias that were leashed to crush the rebellion in Darfur and blamed for much of the killing in Darfur over the past four years.

In 2006, the British government revealed that it granted Gosh two visas for medical treatment and also allowed him to meet with officials on issues regarding counter-terrorism.

(ST)