Bashir directs to shut down Gulen-linked businesses in Sudan

August 12, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir has issued a decision to close all the businesses in the country linked to the Turkish opponent Fethullah Gulen who is accused of orchestrating a failed coup last month.

The decision comes less than a week after a public call launched by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Sudanese authorities during his address by telephone to a rally organized in Khartoum in support of his government on Sunday 7 August.

Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour told Al-Sudani daily that al-Bashir signed a presidential decision to convert the schools linked to Gulen to become attached to the ministry of education. He further said the decision also provided to shut down all the businesses of Gulen.

On 4 August, Sudanese President decided to close the schools run by Fethullah Gulen in Sudan.

Also, Ghandour dismissed rumours that there are some 20 companies linked to Gulen in Sudan, adding their number “is much less than that”.

The minister was reacting to statements by the head of Sudanese Turkish Friendship Society Fatih Ali Hussein who spoke last Tuesday about 20 companies linked to Gulen in Sudan.

Turkish government accuses the U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen of being behind the July 15 coup attempt in which at least 246 people were killed. But, the exiled Islamic opponent denies any involvement in the aborted putsch.

Last Wednesday, Erdogan warned that Turkey would sever relations with the United States if they didn’t hand over Gulen.

“Sooner or later the U.S. will make a choice. Either Turkey or FETO,” Erdogan said, referring to Fethullah Gulen, who is living in Pennsylvania.

(ST)