Sudan releases another 8 political opponents
September 17, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s security service has released eight members of the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) 24 hours after the release of the party’s leader Ibrahim al-Sheikh.
The head of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) Thabo Mbeki last Wednesday announced the prominent release of al-Sheikh saying Bashir had told him that the opposition leader would be freed to create a conducive environment for the national dialogue.
Mbeki further said that the Sudanese president is keen to see all the political, rebel and civil society groups participating in the internal political process in order to settle the armed conflicts in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur, and to discuss constitutional reforms.
Al-Sheikh was arrest last June after criticising the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia and accused its members of committing war crimes and atrocities in Darfur. He was accused of defamation government troops and undermining constitutional order.
Last week, the alliance of the opposition parties distanced itself from Paris declaration and another agreement reached by the rebels, National Umma Party and the dialogue committee saying the ultimate goal of this process should be clearly specified.
The National Consensus Forces were alluding to the need that any political agreement on the internal process should clearly include the formation of a transitional government tasked with the implementation of peace accords and democratic reforms.
(ST)