Sudanese security prevents opposition SCoP from holding press conference
February 1, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Monday cancelled a press conference which was scheduled to be held by the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) saying the party didn’t obtain the necessary permission.
NISS say that political parties are only allowed to carry out activities outside their headquarters upon receiving a prior authorization from the concerned bodies.
In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune, the SCoP said the press conference was intended to layout its views on the political issues in the coming period, saying NISS decision to cancel the conference comes in line with the suppression strategy carried out by the authoritarian regime against the political parties and activists.
It added the move reveals that the constitutional rights and freedoms are futile and meaningless, noting the government call for dialogue is a word of truth by which is intended falsehood.
The statement added that political parties don’t live on isolated islands, saying they seek to gain power through peaceful democratic means which requires them to communicate with the masses.
The SCoP continues to hold speeches in public areas such as the markets and gathering places to urge the citizens to resist the government policies.
It underscored that political action according to the SCoP view means reaching the people wherever they are located including at the market places, neighbourhoods or working places, saying that party premises are only reserved for administrative work.
It is worth noting that the SCoP was established in January 1986. It was first chaired by the former chief-justice Abdel-Mageed Imam who was succeeded by Ibrahim al-Skeikh and has recently elected al-Digair as its third president.
NISS enjoys wide-ranging powers of arrest, detention, search and seizure under the country’s 2010 National Security Act.
(ST)