Sudanese political forces criticise criminal charges against opposition leader

Sudanese political forces have criticised the State Security Prosecution charges against the leader of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP). Sadiq Al-Mahdi is accused of plotting with armed rebel groups to overthrow the regime.

The head of the opposition Reform Now movement, Ghazi Salah Al-Din Al-Atabani, told Quds Press that putting Al-Mahdi on trial over his political work is an escalation which will have negative effects on efforts to stop the war and achieve peace in Sudan. “Using the judiciary against a political opponent contradicts with the national dialogue, especially since many of the names accused of plotting against the homeland were partners in the dialogue process, including Mr Sadiq Al-Mahdi.”

The head of the Just Peace Forum, Tayeb Mustafa MP, said that he was surprised by Al-Mahdi’s remarks about the possibility of being arrested upon his return to Sudan, and that he had received threats that the government would sue the Sudan Appeal for its alliance with armed rebel movements.

They made their comments in the wake of reports by the Sudan Media Centre (SMC) on Tuesday that State Security Prosecution officials have filed criminal charges against Al-Mahdi. According to the SMC, “The criminal charges were filed against the backdrop that Al-Mahdi, in his capacity as the chairman of the NUP, signed a declaration of principles with the Sudan Revolutionary Front and the armed movements and issued a final communiqué stating joint coordination to overthrow the regime by force of arms, as well as inciting the residents through social media to rebel against the state and wreak havoc.”

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