Sudan arrests opposition figure
December 19, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese authorities on Monday took into a custody a leading member in the Popular Congress Party (PCP) upon his return from a trip abroad, the party said today.
Omer said that al-Sanousi was in a tour that took him to South Sudan and Kenya stressing that the constitution guarantees freedom of travel therefore the detention is unjustified.
He noted that other opposition leaders are able to move freely without issues.
The PCP is led by Islamist figure Hassan al-Turabi who was the mastermind behind the 1989 coup that brought president Omer Hassan al-Bashir to power.
But Bashir and Turabi fell out in the late 90’s prompting the latter to become one of the government’s fiercest critics going as far as calling for overthrowing the regime and handing the Sudanese president to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Turabi was arrested several times as a result and he was particularly questioned about his links with the Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) which is fighting an insurgency against government troops in Sudan’s western region.
Omer said the PCP will work with NGO’s and other opposition parties to press for the release of al-Sanousi.
He held the government responsible for the safety and well being of 70-years old al-Sanousi whom he said suffers from diabetes.
Sudanese government officials speaking to Sudan Tribune said they are unaware of why al-Sanousi was arrested.
An opposition source in Khartoum suggested that authorities are concerned that the PCP is coordinating with the Kauda alliance formed recently with the aim of toppling the regime.
The coalition is comprised of Darfur rebel groups and the Sudan People Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) all of whom are battling Sudanese army in different parts of the country.
(ST)
Madina Tonj
Sudan arrests opposition figure
Libya government were calling rebels as a rat that, will be kick out in the mean time unfortunately, that rat turn lion until Muammar al Gaddafi was been capture. Khartoum egime is in a very bad shape than Libya and soon or later Omar al Bashir and all NCP members will find themselves in the same story of Muammar al Gaddafi of Libya nation. South Sudan is a nation where by other can visited.