Sudan’s former spy chief speaks of “conspiracy” against him by Bashir’s aides
July 17, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The former director of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh has accused unnamed officials in the government of sowing discord between him and president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.
Gosh, who was speaking at a public rally celebrating his release in the Northern state town of Merowe on Wednesday, drew scathing criticism on the Ingaz (salvation) regime, saying “No doubt, our brothers who did injustice to us were misled by the demon”.
But he vehemently denied making a plea to the government disclosing that some government officials offered to release him in a manner similar to that of other army and security officers who saw their sentences commuted by Bashir.
“I rejected their request and I also refused to write a plea,” Gosh said noting that he challenged them to send him to court if they had evidence against him.
After more than six months in detention, the ex-spy chief and his associate were formally charged last month with undermining the constitutional order, inciting violence to topple the legitimate government and breaching the anti-terrorism law.
Under Sudan’s penal code these charges carry the death penalty or life imprisonment.
The government prosecutors strongly denied that Gosh’s release was due to lack of evidence, stressing that his defence team appealed on the basis that their client has served the country for a long time.
The former strongman also claimed that unidentified parties within the government orchestrated plots to send him to jail and described his accusation of involvement in the coup attempt as a “play badly directed”, saying that it was nothing but a conspiracy against him driven by jealousy and envy.
In a subtle reference to Bashir and other senior officials, the former intelligence chief said that “his people [in the government]” should have waited and verified allegations levelled against him before passing judgement.
Gosh urged Bashir to turn a deaf ear to those around him who are fabricating lies against him adding that nonetheless he has forgiven all those who conspired against him and urged every Sudanese citizen whom he had wronged to forgive him in “this holy month of Ramadan”, comparing his story to that of Prophet Joseph as it was narrated in the Quran.
The head of the high committee for Gosh’s reception, Mohamed Al-Amin Al-Karsani, for his part, said that the wisdom of the residents in the 5th constituency has prevented a fierce rebellion, adding “if Gosh hadn’t directed us from his prison cell to be patient, we would have engaged in a rebellion against the government”.
Gosh, who represents the 5th constituency in the national assembly, pledged to continue his role as an MP following his release and expressed openness to serve in a new role in the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) or the government as long as it is not a marginal one or one given as consolation.
While he affirmed his commitment to the NCP, Gosh said that should he be booted from the party then “all options will be open to me”.
He also denied any link to the Islamist al-Sa’ehoon reformist group saying that he rejects reform attempts through writing memos.
Gosh was the head of NISS for about a decade until Bashir replaced him in 2009.
During his tenure Gosh boosted cooperation with America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), particularly after the 9 September 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.
After leaving the security service he became presidential security adviser but was sacked in early 2011 after falling out with Bashir’s assistant Nafie Ali Nafie over dialogue with the opposition.
He was also stripped of his leadership positions at the NCP.
The anti-secrecy website Wikileaks released US embassy cables in 2011 showing Gosh to be viewing Bashir as a liability given the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him.
He also appeared to be supportive of VP Ali Osman Taha taking over from Bashir describing him “as a good person” and “a statesman”.
(ST)