Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir has ordered the immediate release of all political prisoners in the country. The state media, said the release “opens the door to participation of all political forces” to discuss the country’s issues.
Hundreds of opposition activists, leaders and protesters were arrested in January by security agents to curb demonstrations that erupted on the back of rising food prices, including bread.
Some activists were later freed but many remained in detention, including top opposition leaders Khaled Omar of the Sudanese Congress party and Mokhtar al-Khatib, the head of the Sudan Communist party.
How many individuals would be released is not said, but said the move came in the spirit of “reconciliation, national harmony and peace created by the national dialogue and as part of steps to prepare a permanent constitution for the country,” the media said.
The US and European embassies in Sudan had called for the release of all detainees, with Washington’s mission saying many were being held in inhumane conditions.
The decision had been made in response to calls by political parties and others involved in an ongoing national dialogue. State media said, it said freeing the prisoners would allow all political groups to take part in discussions about how to solve Sudan’s problems.
>Juthy Saha
Sudan’s President Orders Release of All Political Prisoners
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