Sudanese opposition leader derides allegations of seeking foreign funding

October 15, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – A prominent opposition figure in Sudan has dismissed an allegation from the country’s security services that he requested funding from the Netherlands Embassy in Khartoum to finance anti-government activities, saying that Sudanese people don’t need foreign support to topple the regime.

Faruq Abu Issa, chairman of the National Consensus Forces (NFC) – a clutch of mainstream Sudanese opposition groups – was detained for seven hours on Thursday by agents of the country’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

Citing “a high-level” security source, the Sudanese Media Center (SMC), an NISS-affiliated website, reported that Abu Issa was arrested because he visited the Netherlands Embassy in Khartoum and requested funding for activities to topple the government.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune, Abu Issa denounced his detention as having no legal basis, saying that NISS agents did not even interrogate him.

The high-profile opposition figure ridiculed SMC’s allegations about his request for funding from the Netherlands Embassy, revealing his intention to sue the website and Rabie Abdel-Aati an official of the ruling National Congress Party, who echoed the allegations.

According to Abu Issa, the arrest and allegations represent an attempt to intimidate opposition figures and smear their reputation which reflect the government’s vulnerability in face of the growing discontent and the possibility of street uprisings due to the deteriorating economic situation.

In a separate press conference he held at his house on Friday, Abu Issa said he does not even know where the Netherlands Embassy in Khartoum is located. noting that going there is not a vice. He added that the Sudanese people don’t need foreign support to overthrow the regime.

(ST)