Widespread detentions in Sudan ‘attempt by remnants of Al Bashir regime to regain power’

A number of human rights groups and political bodies have condemned the widespread detention campaigns by Military Intelligence and Islamist groups in Sudan against civil society activists. These campaigns are widely believed to be part of attempts by elements of the former Al Bashir regime to return to power through the continuation of the war.

“The detention campaigns all include civilians without exception, which puts their lives at risk and constitutes a violation of human rights.”

According to Osman Sirelkhatim, representative of the Kalakla and South Khartoum Emergency Rooms, the widespread detentions and torture of activists and volunteers by Military Intelligence in various regions of the country aim to suppress the democratic civil forces seeking to stop the war through negotiations. “The remnants of the Al Bashir regime seek victory of the army, whatever it may cost, in order to take over the country again.”

An informed source told Radio Dabanga on Thursday that a Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) unit liquidated three civilians on charges of spying for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Grand Market of El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan.

The bodies were transported to the mortuary of the El Obeid Teaching Hospital in secrecy. The source said that the victims were gold miners and had no relatives in El Obeid.

On Friday, the RSF launched an attack on popular resistance positions and killed three people.

In El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, Military Intelligence detained Mohamed Abdelrahman, a medical doctor and member of the North Darfur Resistance Committees, from his home on Thursday, without giving any reasons.

El Sadig Abdelrahman, member of the El Fasher Resistance Committees, told Radio Dabanga that the MI department of the 6th Infantry Division began detaining people who call to stop the war. The detained medic “does not belong to either of the warring parties but is just one of the voices calling for an immediate end to the war”.

In Sennar, dozens of activists were held by Military Intelligence last week.

Journalist Moatasim El Zaki told Radio Dabanga about a large detention campaign by Military Intelligence in the state. “They are targeting activists in the humanitarian field, journalists, lawyers, members of resistance committees, political groups, and civil society organisations who work in the emergency sector, in addition to young people who provide special services to displaced people seeking refuge in Sennar.”

The detentions took place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. “Well-known sports journalist and editor-in-chief of El Jawhara Sports newspaper, Ahmed Kaboosh, and four others were held yesterday.”

A circular has reportedly been issued by the Sennar authorities warning about so-called “sleeper cells”, which are accused of supporting the RSF. “Groups said to be affiliated with the dissolved National Congress Party of Al Bashir, or what is known as the Shadow Brigades or other names, are also monitoring and detaining young people at markets and other places in the state,” El Zaki said.

“The people in Sennar are now stuck between the RSF hammer which can invade and plunder the state at any moment, and the SAF detention campaigns.”

The Sudanese Feminist Alliance reported the detention by Military Intelligence last week of two of its members, Alaa Abdallah and Hiam Abdo, who are also members of SIHA Network, a regional organisation addressing violence against women in the Horn of Africa, set up by the Sudanese Hala El Karib.

The Sudanese human rights organisation Emergency Lawyers in two statements last week strongly condemned the Military Intelligence’s targeting of political activists and young volunteers helping out emergency rooms established at grassroots level to help people in need.

The Sudanese Congress Party called in statement on the Sudan Armed Forces to immediately release all political detainees. The party holds them responsible for their safety and warned that tribal mobilisation leads to ethnic polarisation that aim to drag the country into a comprehensive civil war. The party affirmed its support for the negotiation process, ending the state of war, and respecting human rights and a decent life for citizens in Sudan.