Prominent Sudanese activist Ghazi Suleiman dies aged 70
February 8, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese lawyer and political activist, Ghazi Suleiman, has died on Friday in Khartoum at age of 70 following a brief illness.
He belonged to the Sudanese leftist movement and was a fierce opponent of the current regime in its early days before reconciling with it.
He joined the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) led by the late John Garang and became an MP following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005.
The late Suleiman was known for his courage and bold views such as “negotiating with the brats of the rebel Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) would mean the end of the Sudanese state”.
He was also quoted as saying “Sudan is protected by president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir’s gun” and “The Sudanese regime is currently as delicate as Hanan Bulo Bulo [a Sudanese singer famous for her dancing]”, and “The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) is a secular party”.
Suleiman was also present in many of the public opinion cases. His funeral was attended by president Omer Hassan a;-Bashir and senior executive and legislative officials and political leaders.
The leading figure at the NCP, Nafie Ali Nafie, said we lost a dear brother, describing the deceased as a “knight” who always set to rights.
The presidential assistant, Jalal Youssef Al-Digair, said the country lost a brave and generous patriot who dedicated his life to national issues, pointing to the large crowds which attended the funeral as a true proof of his connection to the people.
The leader of the Reform Now Party (RNP), Ghazi Salah Al-Din al-Attabani, also said Sudan lost a great advocate for rights and a brave patriot.
The lawyer, Muawia Khidir Al-Amin, for his part, said we lost a dear and generous brother who made significant contributions to the legal profession and the country.
(ST)