Concerns for Sudanese President Al Bashir’s health

Conflicting reports have been received regarding the heath condition of Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir after he missed an important meeting with the ‘7+7’Nation Dialogue Committee on Sunday, and then made an unexpected trip to Saudi Arabia.

The '7+7' National Dialogue Committee, that discussed the outcomes of the National Dialogue, was the first meeting since the recommendations by the National Dialogue were officially endorsed in a National Document.

Several reasons were given for the absence of President Omar Al Bashir from the meeting.

Sudan's Information Minister and government spokesman, Ahmed Bilal Osman, told reporters that the President was absent because of an urgent health problem.

Meanwhile the chief of the presidential office, Taha Osman, said that Al Bashir was absent because he was receiving condolences on the death of one of his relatives.

Doctors have already advised Al Bashir not to talk or stand for long in public forums because of problems in his vocal cords and knees.

On Monday, the 72-year-old president travelled to Saudi Arabia. Ibrahim Ghandour, Minister of Foreign Affairs, downplayed reports that Al Bashir went to Saudi Arabia for medical attention. He said the President “travelled in full health” to talk with Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz about bilateral relations between the two countries.