Released Darfuri student describes torture

President of the Darfur Association of Students Muhamed Idris Gedo has revealed the severe torture he endured during his detention by the National Intelligence and Security Service in Khartoum. He was detained in January after taking part in a demonstration in solidarity with displaced Manasir students at the University of Khartoum. Here he gives an account to Radio Dabanga about his first few hours in detention and reflects on what happened. ‘I was escorted into the building where I was accused of inciting the students and attacking the dean of the university. After that I was taken downstairs and the officers took shifts visiting me. They asked me to face the wall so I don’t see them.’ ‘They came from behind and kept interrogating me, beating me, torturing me. They accused me of being a member of an armed movement and of inciting students.’ ‘I was mostly beaten on my head. More than 10 officers took shifts torturing me; it went on until midnight that day.’  ‘What provokes the NISS the most is the mobilization of people from a certain tribe to advocate for a cause that concerns another tribe… they want to divide the people and they don’t want them to unite for one national cause. They asked me why I was advocating for the Manasir case when I am from Darfur?’ ‘I thank all political, national and student organizations. They stood by me when the NISS was trying to convince me that no one is asking about me and trying to make me feel worthless.’