Sudan’s security arrests political activists after spontaneous meeting

March 5, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese security service arrested three members of a political group campaigning for electoral mobilization to end the rule of the National Congress Party (NCP) after a spontaneous meeting held at bus stop in central Khartoum this week.

The three members of Girifina (we have had enough) on Thursday March 4, were arrested by the Sudanese police and security service. Since, they are charged with causing “public noisiness” under Article 77 of the Criminal Act of 1991. They are still in prison and have yet to be released.

A Sudanese rights watchdog, African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS), denounced today the detention saying their arrest is in violation with the interim constitution which guarantee “the to freedom of expression, assembly, and association under Article 39”.

Sudan will hold its first democratic general election next April to elect Sudanese president, southern Sudan government president, regional governors, members of national parliament, southern Sudan MPs and regional assemblies.

However, the political forces accuse the ruling National Congress Party of controlling the media and using it to advertize the NCP candidates. Also they blame the National Election Commission (NCE) for its lack of independence and conciliatory positions with the government.

On Thursday, the opposition forces gathered outside the NCE premises to protest a circular released recently restricting the organization of public campaigns held by political parties, and civil society organizations.

“The circular restricted any public campaigning, including parties campaigning on their own premises and headquarters. The NEC is purely an administrative body, and these regulations assume power that can only be implemented by the National Assembly;” said the rights group.

The ACJPS also said the crackdown on political parties and activists marks out the limits of freedom tolerated by the NCP government in the current electoral campaign.

Girifna’s activists are regularly arrested by the security service for the distribution of mobilization flyers in the streets. However, the group which is forms in September 2009 is extending now its activities out of the capital to the different Sudanese towns.

Analysts say the security services fear that independent activists can be the nucleus of a large national protest campaign to denounce electoral rigging or any manipulation by the ruling party.

(ST)