Sudan Opposition Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolt Will Be Victorious

Deputy head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) group Yasir Arman. (Reuters)
Deputy head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) group Yasir Arman. (Reuters)
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Sudan Opposition Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolt Will Be Victorious

Deputy head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) group Yasir Arman. (Reuters)
Deputy head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) group Yasir Arman. (Reuters)

Deputy head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) group Yasir Arman vowed on Tuesday that his country’s revolution will be victorious and will achieve its goals.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he added that the military council in Khartoum deported him on Monday because they feared that the SPLM-N would succeed in uniting the opposition.

Sudan is passing through a “very dangerous” phase, which demands the unity of all opposition forces to ensure that the revolt is a success and the people’s aspirations are met, he stated.

Arman was arrested soon after returning to Sudan and was released on Sunday. Soon after, he was deported to Juba along with fellow leading rebels Ismail Jalab and Mubarak Ardol.

Jalab revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the authorities did not clarify the reasons for their arrest and deportation.

They also did not meet any members of the ruling military council. They were were held in cells, but were not victim of any torture during their detention.

He revealed that Arman was beaten by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at their place of residence before their arrest.

Moreover, Jalab said that the detainees were released after pressure exerted by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, South Sudan President Silva Kiir and several international powers, including Britain and the United States.

He condemned their deportation, saying that they were Sudanese citizens and had the right to live in their country.

“It appears that the military council was bothered by our presence in Khartoum,” he remarked.

Arman had arrived in Khartoum in late May to take part in talks with a military council that in April toppled longtime President Omar al-Bashir, after months of protests against his 30-year-rule.



French-Algerian Novelist Sansal Appeals Detention Decision

Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)
Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)
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French-Algerian Novelist Sansal Appeals Detention Decision

Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)
Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)

Renowned French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal has been placed in detention at a hospital unit in Algeria’s capital, as his defense team appealed the decision to detain him.

Sansal’s lawyers in Algeria on Wednesday met with their client in the prison unit of Mustapha Hospital in Algiers, his lawyer in France François Zimeray said. The writer appeared to be worried but otherwise in good spirits, and did not complain of mistreatment, he said. His lawyers plan to seek his release on bail.

Sansal, 75, who obtained French citizenship earlier this year, was arrested this month at Algiers airport upon returning from France.

The writer was indicted Tuesday under Algeria’s Article 87 bis on charges of “undermining the integrity of the national territory,” the lawyer added.
On Friday, Algeria’s state news agency APS finally acknowledged his arrest without clarifying the circumstances.
Sansal has repeatedly criticized Algerian officials.

His arrest comes as relations between France and Algeria face newfound strains. France in July backed Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara, angering Algeria.