Sudanese information minister resigns amid dispute with presidency over state news agency
April 29, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Information Minister Abdullah Ali Massar has submitted his resignation to president Omer Hassan al-Bashir in the wake of a dispute over the fate of the director of Sudan’s official news agency (SUNA).
Massar has previously suspended SUNA’s director Awad Jadain and referred him to an investigation on alleged administrative and financial irregularities.
But last Friday Bashir issued a decree reversing Massar’s decision and reinstated Jadain. The president also cancelled all investigations into SUNA’s performance, which has been ordered by the minister.
SUNA’s director reportedly had the backing of the information state minister Sana Hamad who strongly opposed Massar’s decision and allowed Jadain to resume his work while her boss was travelling abroad.
Massar immediately cut short his trip and took away the SUNA dossier from Hamad and affirmed his decision regarding Jadain.
According to local press reports, Jadain sent a letter of grievance to Bashir regarding Massar’s move against him but this has yet to be confirmed.
SUNA’s director told the privately-owned al-Sudani newspaper in an interview that Massar accused him of keeping secret accounts for SUNA SAT company which works in telecommunications. According to Jadain this was proven to be wrong by Sudan’s central bank.
He threatened to sue Massar over the accusations which harmed his reputation and dignity.
(ST)