Sudanese pro-democracy leader Arman released after brief detention in Kenya
March 6, 2025 (NAIROBI) – Yasir Arman, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Revolutionary Democratic Current (SPLM-RDC), announced his release on Thursday after Interpol briefly detained him in Kenya.
Arman, a vocal critic of Sudan’s military leadership, was stopped at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on March 5. He was informed that he was subject to a red notice issued by authorities in Port Sudan, Sudan, based on what he described as “numerous baseless charges.”
After being held at the Kenyan Interpol office, Arman was allowed to go to a hotel, but his travel documents were initially confiscated. He said he was in contact with Kenyan officials and friends during this period. The following morning, after receiving calls from officials in the Kenyan president’s office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as from Kenyan Interpol, his documents were returned, and he was released.
In his statement, Arman characterized the charges against him as “purely political” and “tailored to suit the men in Port Sudan.” He contrasted his detention with outstanding International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants for former Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir and his associates, who are accused of war crimes and genocide.
“Justice for the people of Sudan should begin with the arrest of General Omer al-Bashir and his colleagues,” Arman said, adding that the names of pro-democracy forces were instead on the Interpol list.
Smoud on Thursday demanded the immediate release of political figure Yasser Arman and the dropping of all “fabricated” arrest warrants against leaders of the country’s pro-democracy movement.
The civilian coalition claimed the “illegitimate authority” was shielding individuals sought by the International Criminal Court while persecuting “honourable” Sudanese citizens with spurious charges.
Arman used the incident to reiterate his call for an immediate end to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which he described as an “ugly war against the Sudanese people.” He urged both sides to heed the will of the Sudanese people, who desired “bread, basic necessities, peace, democracy, equal citizenship, and good relations with our neighbours and the international community.”
He expressed gratitude to his family, friends, colleagues, and supporters in Kenya, Sudan, and internationally and thanked Kenyan officials for their assistance.