Sudan cracks down on memorial services for those killed in September 2013 protests

September 25, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Thursday prevented some of the families of victims who were killed during the September 2013 protests from organising vigils for their loved ones, also detaining dozens of activists in the process.

Demonstrations broke out in several Sudanese states in September 2013 following the government’s decision to lift fuel subsidies. Rights groups said that at least 200 people were killed but the government put the death toll at 85.

Eman Abdel-Bagi, sister of Dr Sarah who died in last year’s protests, said that her family has succeeded in organising the memorial service despite harassment by NISS which closed roads leading to their house in the suburb of Al-Duroshab, north of Khartoum, and arrested some of the participants.

She revealed that NISS did not allow them to bring seats into the memorial to their house until they were confronted by her father, who shouted: “You conduct weddings for martyrs and I want to do a memorial service for my daughter.”

Abdel-Bagi confirmed the arrest of Ayman Saeed, Nazim Siraj, Muawia Mohamed Ali and Ibrahim al-Safi.

South of al-Duroshab in Shambat neighbourhood, which has seen a number of deaths in the September 2013 protests, the NISS imposed a cordon on al-Rabta Square which eventually turned into an arena for opponents.

The authorities prevented the family of the Hazaa in the neighbourhood of Shambat from erecting a tent that was to witness his memorial service.

A number of precautionary arrests took place this week against several political activists in Khartoum as the first anniversary of the protests approached.

There were also reports that families of those who fell in the September 2013 protests received warnings from authorities on holding vigils to commemorate the victims.

The 2nd Vice President Hasabo Abdel-Rahman claimed on Monday night that a group under the name “Regime Change Front” is active in the capital, but that security is aware of them.

He stressed that that there are certain circles that do not want peace and want to place obstacles in front of dialogue process.

The National Umma Party (NUP) said that some of its members were arrested by authorities on Thursday including all of Bahaa al-Din Mohamed Ahmed, Emad Sadiq Hamdoun and also Ayman Abdel-Ghaffar who was detained since Wednesday.

The Sudanese Congress Party (ScoP) said that 7 of its members have been detained since last Saturday including Kamoun Mohammed Adam, Widad Abdel-Rahman Darwish, Issa Mohammed Zein, Ibrahim Guevara, Ramzi Mubarak, Mohammed Yossef and Abdallah Hassan.

Freedom House institution said that these arrests in Sudan demonstrates the government’s continued use of force and intimidation as a basic means of ruling.

(ST)