عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Bashir’s Uncle Arrested over 'Threat of Violence' to Topple Transitional Govt

File photo: Ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir (Ashraf Shazly, AFP)
File photo: Ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir (Ashraf Shazly, AFP)
TT
20
TT

Bashir’s Uncle Arrested over 'Threat of Violence' to Topple Transitional Govt

File photo: Ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir (Ashraf Shazly, AFP)
File photo: Ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir (Ashraf Shazly, AFP)

The Sudanese authorities arrested leader in the former regime Al-Tayeb Mustafa on several charges including threatening to use violence to overthrow the transitional government.

The committee formed to dismantle the regime of 30th June 1989 and eliminate corruption filed a lawsuit against Mustafa. The indictment included threats to release the so-called jihadists to topple the transitional government, “incite hatred against the state, undermine the constitutional order and question members of the dismantling committee.”

These charges could lead to sentences that amount to up to 10 years in prison.

Ousted President Omar al-Bashir’s uncle has consistently belittled the revolution, questioned its prominent figures by taking advantage of the column he writes in a daily newspaper.

Although Mustafa announced his resignation from the dissolved National Congress Party and the establishment of the Just Peace Forum (JPF) party, however, he won a seat in the parliament appointed by Bashir.

Mustafa chaired Bashir’s information committee with the rank of minister until the regime was toppled on April 11, 2019.

Spokesman of the Committee for Dismantling Ingaz (Salvation) Regime and Removing Empowerment Salah Manna told Asharq Al-Awsat that Mustafa was handed over to the Public Prosecution for investigation.

Manna explained that the arrested leader had published an article in Al-Intibaha newspaper in which he insulted the state.

According to Manna, Mustafa accused the committee members of receiving bribes, and he called for undermining the constitutional system.

“He is talking about the law, and we filed lawsuits against him under the law,” the spokesman stressed, adding that he will face all the laws he had breached.

Mustafa is expected to face charges that do not exceed 10 years in prison, according to the “Dismantling of the regime of 30th June 1989” law.

Mustafa appeared in the Sudanese political life suddenly after his nephew assumed the presidency with the Islamists' coup in June 1989. This allowed him to hold many posts without enjoying competence.

He was also known for his hostility and racist stances against citizens of South Sudan and is said to be one of the godfathers of South Sudan’s secession.

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

Libya's Anti-NGO Push Seen as Diversion from Internal Failures, Analysts Say

Head of Libya's Government of National Unity Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah - File Photo
Head of Libya's Government of National Unity Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah - File Photo
TT
20
TT

Libya's Anti-NGO Push Seen as Diversion from Internal Failures, Analysts Say

Head of Libya's Government of National Unity Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah - File Photo
Head of Libya's Government of National Unity Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah - File Photo

Libya's suspension of 10 international humanitarian groups, part of a broader crackdown on African migrants, is aimed at masking domestic failures and securing external concessions, particularly from Europe, analysts have said, AFP reported.

Libya's Tripoli-based authorities announced on Wednesday a decision to suspend the Norwegian Refugee Council, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Terre des Hommes, CESVI and six other groups, accusing them of a plan to "settle migrants" from other parts of Africa in the country.

War-torn Libya is a key departure point on North Africa's Mediterranean coast for migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan African countries, risking dangerous sea voyages in the hope of reaching Europe.

Anas al-Gomati, director of the Tripoli-based Sadeq Institute think tank, said "this isn't about NGOs -- it's about creating enemies to distract from failures".

The UN-recognized government of Abdulhamid Dbeibah is "tapping into conservative anxieties while masking their inability to provide basic services", he told AFP.

The ultimate goal, according to Gomati, is to "extract concessions from Europe which, fearing potential migration surges, will offer new funding packages and prop up the government in Tripoli".

On Wednesday, Rome announced the allocation of 20 million euros to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to finance "voluntary repatriations" for 3,300 sub-Saharan migrants who arrived in Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.

"This isn't coincidence -- its coordination. The Libyan authorities shut down NGOs providing monitoring and protection (for migrants) precisely as Italy announces 20 million euros for 'voluntary' returns," said Gomati.

"Italy gets to claim they're funding 'voluntary' returns while Libya gets to demonstrate 'sovereignty', all while vulnerable migrants face extortion in detention before being labelled 'volunteers' for deportation."

Libya analyst Jalel Harchaoui noted that the Tripoli government is adopting a similar tone to Tunisian President Kais Saied, who in early 2023 denounced what he called "hordes of sub-Saharan migrants" who threatened to "change the country's demographic composition".

Harchaoui, of the London-based Royal United Services Institute, said Dbeibah was facing considerable difficulties, particularly in gaining access to public funds, and his once pragmatic relationship with the Haftar family in the east had deteriorated.

Following the NGO ban, aid groups have expressed concern for both their Libyan colleagues and the migrants who have been made more vulnerable in a country that, according to the IOM, is home to more than 700,000 residents from sub-Saharan countries.

The International Commission of Jurists on Friday condemned the "recent collective expulsions, arrests, violent attacks and the surge of hate speech, including that which constitutes incitement to violence, against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya".

The organization noted that the Libyan interior ministry has pledged "the deportation of 100,000 migrants every four months".