Sudan’s Bashir and former officials transferred to Merowe Hospital

September 22, 2024 (OMDURMAN) – Sudan’s ousted President Omer al-Bashir and three former senior officials were transferred from military detention to a hospital in Merowe, Northern State, last Thursday due to their declining health, Bashir’s lawyer told Sudan Tribune.

Al-Bashir, former Defence Minister Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein and former Youth and Sports Minister Youssef Abdel Fattah, were moved from the Wadi Seidna military area in Omdurman, lawyer Mohamed Hassan Al-Amin said. Former Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh had been transferred to the same hospital three weeks prior.

The transfer followed a request by the defence team and a military group called “Comrades-in-Arms” after a medical report indicated the necessary treatment was unavailable at the Wadi Seidna military hospital.

Al-Amin stated that Bashir is suffering from multiple health complications related to old age, requiring treatment abroad, along with Abdel Fattah and Hussein. Saleh had a pacemaker implanted, and all require regular medical follow-up.

Al-Amin called for their release under personal guarantees, noting they had been detained for nearly five and a half years despite a Chief Justice’s decision to release them due to military intelligence.

Bashir and other former regime leaders were moved to Kober prison in Khartoum North following his removal from power in April 2019. They escaped along with thousands of prisoners after the outbreak of war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023.