Sudanese security agents break into home of opponent in capital

January 22, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese security services have broken into the home of a local official of the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) in Omdurman and seized a number of documents and electronic devices in what appears to be an attempt to increase pressure on opposition parties, .

In a press release issued on Monday, the SCP condemned the search operation, adding that security agents stormed the house of Ali Al-Kanein, organisational secretary of its branch in Omdurman, without any legal authorisation.

The opposition party said the sharp increase of repressive measures against political forces comes after the signing of the ‘New Dawn’ charter between opposition parties and rebels groups on 5 January.

The document provides for the use political and military means to topple the regime.

In the statement, SCP accused the government of seeking to “reduce the narrow margin of freedom” in the country.

It called on the government to urgently end attacks on freedoms and to release all political detainees and return confiscated documents and materials to their owners.

The SCP has also resolved to lodge a complaint to the registrar of political parties against the security apparatus.

Sudanese authorities recently banned some civil society groups and arrested opponents after their participation in a meeting with the rebel groups in Kampala earlier this month.

(ST)