Opposition to ‘escalate protests’ for release of Sudan anti-mining activists

Sheiba Dirar, Commissioner of Presidential Affairs in the Red Sea state and the head of the opposition National Beja Party has threatened to escalate protests unless the security services release his office manager, activist Osman El Bagir and Omda Hashim Ali.

He told Radio Dabanga that El Bagir and Ali, who are being detained for the second week, have been transferred to Khartoum.

El Bagir and Ali were detained by members of the National Intelligence and Security Service in Port Sudan on 17 December.

El Bagir has criticised the authorities for granting permission to the mining companies to work at Wadi El Alagi archaeological area in the Red Sea state, while Ali has been holding and following the file of the judicial proceedings against Um Risharish mining company which is active at Wadi El Alagi.

Commissioner Dirar pointed out that “the detainees have not committed any crime that justifies their arrest”.

He explained that the escalation of the issue of mining in the Wadi El Aalgi archaeological area through social media is part of the strategy for the defence of their region.

He praised the role of his office manager El Bagir in standing with the issues of the affected and the oppressed. Dirar confirmed the start of consultation with Omdas and tribal elders to escalate protests in order to release the detainees.