Sudan police ban event organised by Dinka Ngok of Abyei in Khartoum

November 15, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Several South Sudanese activists have said that their fellow citizens in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum are being subjected to harassment by the police.

Steven Lual, a Southern activist told Sudan Tribune that the police banned an event organized by the Dinka Ngok of Abyei in Khartoum, although the organisers obtained the required permission from the competent authorities.

Last December, the Sudanese president, Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, directed the concerned bodies to treat South Sudanese fleeing the ongoing conflict as Sudanese citizens, not refugees.

Lual stressed the police prevented a family event organised by the association of Abyei people in Khartoum on Friday evening, saying leaders from all Dinka Ngok clans were supposed to address the event on the need for social peace and social communication.

“Police stormed the club and prevented the celebration and confiscated the permission under the pretext that foreigners are not allowed to organise such event,” he added.

He explained that Abyei people in Khartoum have denounced the move and called for returning to South Sudan to enjoy their freedom.

Sudan Tribune recalls that resolving the final status of Abyei still remains a major issue between Sudan and South Sudan after the latter broke away from the former in July 2011, leaving several unresolved post-secession issues.

Meanwhile, Lual said the police also arrested a South Sudanese law student who studies at one of Sudan’s universities after he inadvertently hit a girl in a crowed seeking to get in a public transportation bus, pointing the court sentenced him to five years in prison and a fine of 1000 pounds (SDG).

Lual underscored that South Sudanese students studying in the Sudanese universities were shocked by the court decision.

(ST)