Security apparatus arrests opposition leader and rights defender over Sudan Call
December 6, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese security apparatus has arrested the leader of the opposition alliance National Consensus Forces (NCF), Farouk Abu Issa, and rights defender Amin Maki Madani after their return from Addis Ababa where they signed the Sudan Call with rebel groups.
The arrest of the two leaders comes after a campaign launched by the government officials against the Sudan Call signed in the Ethiopian capital on 3 December by opposition and rebel leaders. President Omer Hassan al-Bashir had last week warned the opposition against inking deals with the rebel groups.
Different sources confirmed the simultaneous arrest of Issa and Madani on Saturday evening from their houses, 24 hours after their return from Addis Ababa.
The two leader are both in their 70s and suffering from several diseases.
According to reports received by Sudan Tribune, security agents refused to allow Madani to take his medications with him. The latter is suffering high blood pressure.
The two lawyers returned to Khartoum on Friday evening after a series of talks with the mediation on their participation in the national dialogue.
The Sudan Call reiterates the support of the opposition and civil society groups to the peaceful settlement of armed conflicts in the country, and the national dialogue process, which is initiated by Bashir.
The call, which is an extension to Paris Declaration, supports the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) no 456, which calls for the implementation of confidence-building measures, including the protection of political freedoms.
During a meeting with Mbeki, Abu Issa reiterated their readiness to join the national dialogue if the government implements the AUPSC’s decision. Madani, from his part, asked the mediation to include the civil society groups in the process.
In statement to Sudan Tribune on Friday after his return from Addis Ababa, Issa said they are ready for any move from the government.
“We will defend our position in the courts to show people that (Sudan Call) boosted the nation’s unity,” said the former secretary-general of the Arab Lawyers Union.
The head of the legal secretary in the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), al-Fadil Haj Suleiman, told reporters on Friday Issa and the leader of the National Umma Party (NUP), Sadiq al-Mahdi, will be charged and prosecuted for the signing of Sudan Call, according to the criminal law.
The government had already threatened to try al-Mahdi who is residing in Cairo since the signing of Paris Declaration on 8 August.
The Sudan Call was signed by Issa, al-Mahdi, vice-president of the rebel alliance Sudanese Revolutionary Forces (SRF) Minni Minnawi and Madani for the Alliance of the Sudanese Civil Society Organisations.
(ST)