Sudan charges former PM, anti-war leaders with serious crimes
April 3, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – The Public Prosecution in Sudan filed criminal cases on Wednesday against former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, head of Tagadum and several leading members of the anti-war coalition. The charges, linked to the ongoing conflict, could carry the death penalty.
Tagadum, a coalition of political parties, civil society, and professional groups, advocates for a peaceful end to the conflict. Earlier this year, they signed a declaration of principles with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), calling for an end to hostilities and direct negotiations with the military.
Sudanese state television reported that the Public Prosecution filed cases against former civilian government Prime Minister Hamdok Tagadum leader and 15 others, including party leaders and journalists. The charges include incitement to war against the state, undermining the constitutional order, and crimes against humanity. These charges carry the death penalty under Sudanese law.
he television identified those charged as Al-Wathiq Al-Brair, Secretary-General of the National Umma Party, Zainab and Maryam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, NUP leadership members. Omer al-Digair, head of the Sudanese Congress Party, and his deputy, Khaled Omer Youssif. They also targeted Yasir Arman, head of the SPLM-N Democratic Revolutionary Current, Suleiman Sandal, head of the Justice and Equality Movement, and Taha Osman Ishaq, a leading member of the civil forces, along with several journalists such as Maher Abu Al-Joukh, Shawqi Abdel Azim, and Rasha Awad.
Military leaders recently launched a frenzied campaign against the anti-war alliance leaders, considering them an RSF political mouthpiece. Calls for their prosecution have also increased recently by the supporters of the military-led government.
Earlier this year, the leaders of Taqadum requested a meeting with the Chairman of the Sovereign Council and the Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Army to discuss ways to end the war. Still, the charges against them today reduce the chances of dialogue between Tagadum and the country’s military leadership.
(ST)