♦ This week’s news in brief ♦
A compact weekly digest of Dabanga Sudan’s news highlights from Sudan
Ousted Sudanese president Omar Al Bashir is transferred from Kober prison to the office of the Public Prosecutor to hear the charges against him (Photo: SUNA)
A compact weekly digest of Dabanga Sudan's news highlights from Sudan
Former president Omar Al Bashir will be trialled from within Sudan, the Transitional Military Council rejected to inquire into the killing of peaceful protestors on June 3 in Khartoum, meanwhile international commentators had their say on the current situation in Sudan. Here's a roundup of this week:
♦ Ousted Al Bashir hears charges ahead of trial
June 16 – 2019 KHARTOUM Sudan’s ousted president Omar Al Bashir has met with Public Prosecutors in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, to hear charges that will be brought against him in a trial scheduled to begin next week.
The official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reports that the Prosecution for Combating Corruption has directed charges against the deposed president Omar Al Bashir for violations of foreign currency laws, illegal wealth, violation of the Emergency Order, and possession of Sudanese cash exceeding the maximum amount allowed.
The charges were directed in personal presence of the deposed president and representatives of the defence, including Ahmed Ibrahim Tahir, Mohamed Hassan Amin and Hashim Abubakr Jaali.
An official source at the Public Prosecution said in a statement to SUNA that the ousted president was informed about his right to appeal against the charges within one week to the supreme prosecutor. Pictures show Al Bashir, clothed in traditional Sudanese garb, being transferred by car from Kober prison – which his regime made notorious – in Khartoum North, to the offices of the Attorney General.
The Attorney-General announced on Saturday via SUNA that the trial of Al Bashir will be held next week. Al Bashir, who was deposed by a military coup on April 11 has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and genocide in Darfur, however the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) have opted to try him in Sudan.
♦ Sudan junta rejects international inquiry into Khartoum massacre
June 16 – 2019 KHARTOUM Sudan’s TMC says that the results of the fact-finding committee on the violent dispersal of the Khartoum sit-in on June 3, which, according to the Sudanese Central Doctors Committee, left more than 100 dead and up to 700 injured, would be announced on Saturday. In a statement via the official SUNA, TMC spokesman and chairman of the Political Committee, Lt Gen Shamseldin Kabbashi, declared that the TMC would not accept an international commission of inquiry because Sudan is a sovereign state.
Kabbashi questioned the figures of the victims of the massacre on June 3 of the Sudan Central Doctors Committee, claiming that “the number does not exceed 61”. He also denied the existence of cases of rape or throwing of victims into the Nile. He ruled out agreeing to the terms of the Alliance for Freedom and Change (AFC) to resume negotiations, withdraw the military manifestations from the cities, restore Internet service, and the formation of an independent commission of inquiry on the massacre.
The AFC renewed its commitment to the formation of an international commission of inquiry of the massacre, explaining that the military junta is the first accused.
More news from Radio Dabanga:
Dutch Minister: 'Link aid to Sudan to free elections and Al Bashir extradition
June 17 – 2019 KHARTOUM / THE HAGUE The ruling Transitional Military Council should extradite former president Al Bashir to the …
Death toll in Khartoum violence rises to 128
June 17 – 2019 KHARTOUM 18 year-old Marwan Tebeidi died at the intensive care unit of El Saha Hospital in Khartoum on Saturday. This …
Arab League calls for a civilian government in Sudan
June 17 – 2019 KHARTOUM The secretary-general of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul-Gheit held talks with the military junta and the Alliance …
Hemeti: TMC ready to hand over power to civilians
June 17 – 2019 KHARTOUM Deputy chairman of the Transitional Military Council (TMC), Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan, better known as Hemeti …
Unamid mandate extended after ‘drastic change in Sudan’
June 16 – 2019 ADDIS ABABA The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) has extended the mandate of the joint African …
Junta: Sudan internet shutdown will continue
June 14 – 2019 KHARTOUM Sudan’s ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) says that the internet shutdown, which it ordered on …
Sudanese junta: more than 17 people arrested for coup attempts
June 14 – 2019 KHARTOUM The Transitional Military Council spokesman Lt Gen Shamseldin El Kabbashi said at a press conference on …
Central Darfur militia raids: Death toll rises to 11
June 12 – 2019 DELEIG The number of people killed in militia attacks in Deleig in Central Darfur this week has risen to at least 11. The …
UNICEF head: 19 children dead, 49 injured – ‘Violence in Sudan must stop’
June 11 – 2019 NEW YORK The Executive Director of United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF, Henrietta Fore, has voiced grave concern …
George Clooney urges action on assets of Sudan generals
June 11 – 2019 WASHINGTON Hollywood star and activist George Clooney on Tuesday urged the international community to go after illicit …
This digest is an excerpt from the weekly Sudan News Update. Subscribe here to receive the newsletter directly in your inbox.
Help us deliver free information at a time when press freedom is especially under threat in Sudan. Our editorial independence means that we can continue to provide factual updates about ongoing protests to Sudanese and international actors, educate people about how to avoid outbreaks of cholera, and provide a window to the world for those in all corners of Sudan. Support Radio Dabanga for as little as €2.50, the equivalent of a cup of coffee.
and then