Sudan security arrests activists, prevents Khartoum protest

The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) obstructed a protest of tens of activists and families of detainees in a main street in Khartoum on Monday, and arrested three members of the organising Committee for Solidarity with the families of martyrs and the political prisoners. Salah Mohamed Abdel Rahman, who is the father of Mohamed Salah, Zakaria Mohamed, Emad Hamed, and another person who has not been recognised, were taken into a Toyota truck. They have been brought to an unknown location, eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune. The NISS released Salah Abdel Rahman later that day. The rest is still detained. The Chairman of the committee, which is also known as the Committee of Solidarity with the victims of the September demonstrations, held a news conference following the security apparatus’ obstructing of their protest. “I am concerned about the pace of the country’s human rights violations, including arrests, summons of journalists, and shutting down newspapers,” Siddig Yousif said.Hundreds of people in Dongola, the northern state of Sudan, went out on Friday to protest against the arrest of El Sadiq El Mahdi, the head of the National Umma Party. They demanded his release and raised banners condemning the arrest, the National Dialogue, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Photo: Umma Party demonstration in Dongola on Monday (by Radio Dabanga correspondent) Related: Protests for detainees’ release across Sudan (9 June 2014)Sudanese Congress Party leaders detained (9 June 2014)