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)
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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.



Türkiye Says It Believes Kurdish Fighters Will Be Forced Out of All Syrian Territory

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler takes part in a NATO Defense Ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium October 12, 2023. (Reuters)
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler takes part in a NATO Defense Ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium October 12, 2023. (Reuters)
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Türkiye Says It Believes Kurdish Fighters Will Be Forced Out of All Syrian Territory

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler takes part in a NATO Defense Ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium October 12, 2023. (Reuters)
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler takes part in a NATO Defense Ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium October 12, 2023. (Reuters)

Türkiye believes Syria's new rulers, including the Syrian National Army (SNA) armed group which Ankara backs, will drive Kurdish YPG fighters from all territory they occupy in northeastern Syria, Defense Minister Yasar Guler said on Sunday.

Türkiye regards the Syrian YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants who have fought an insurgency against the Turkish state for 40 years and are deemed terrorists by Ankara, Washington, and the European Union.

The YPG spearheads an alliance, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is backed by the United States and controls territory in northeastern Syria. Since the fall of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad two weeks ago, Türkiye and Syrian groups it backs have fought against the SDF, seizing the city of Manbij.

"We believe that the new leadership in Syria and the Syrian National Army, which is an important part of its army, along with the Syrian people, will free all territories occupied by terrorist organizations," Guler said during a visit to Turkish troops on the Syrian border with military commanders.

"We will also take every necessary measure with the same determination until all terrorist elements beyond our borders are cleared," he said in a video released by his ministry.

Ankara has demanded the Syrian Kurdish fighters disband, and has called on Washington to withdraw its support. The US military acknowledged last week it has 2,000 troops on the ground in Syria, twice as many as it had said previously.

On Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Türkiye would do "whatever it takes" to ensure its security if Syria's new administration was unable to address its concerns.