Hundreds of political detainees remain in prison in Sudan despite initial reconciliation between political parties and Sovereign Council

The “Sudanese Congress” party issued a statement saying that political detainees in the state of Sennar, in the southeast of the country, have entered into a hunger strike rejecting their detention since last October 25 without any charges being brought against them.

Sources told our organisation that the political detainees have entered into an open hunger strike on Tuesday. Those striking included the ousted governor of Sennar, Al-Mahi, Mohamed Suleiman, and the reporter of the Empowerment Removal Committee, Ali Tariq Al-Arsh.

The Sudanese authorities did not announce the number of political detainees in Sudan since Al-Burhan procedures were announced, but private sources confirmed that the numbers were estimated at hundreds. The Sudanese authorities released 9 ministers and politicians over the past days, and promised to release the rest.

Since October 25, Sudan has witnessed protests against the measures taken by the army chief, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, on the same day, which included declaring a state of emergency, dissolving the Sovereignty and Transitional Ministers Councils, dismissing Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, and arresting party leaders and officials, within measures described by political forces as “Military coup”.

Although Al-Burhan and Hamdok signed a political agreement, on Sunday, that includes the latter’s return to his position, the formation of a government of competencies, the release of political detainees, and the two parties’ pledge to work together for democracy; political and civil forces expressed their rejection of the agreement as an “attempt to legitimise the coup,” vowing to continue protests until achieving full civilian rule.

We stress the need to release all detainees arrested in the current events and to work to achieve democracy and establish civilian rule in which all Sudanese have the right to vote, elect, and run for office, and fulfil their aspirations to achieve political, security, and economic stability in the country.