Sudan Releases Dozens Detained after Rising Food Price Protests

Supporters shout outside the National Prison during the release of politicians and journalists, after demonstrations in Khartoum, Sudan February 18, 2018. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
Supporters shout outside the National Prison during the release of politicians and journalists, after demonstrations in Khartoum, Sudan February 18, 2018. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
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Sudan Releases Dozens Detained after Rising Food Price Protests

Supporters shout outside the National Prison during the release of politicians and journalists, after demonstrations in Khartoum, Sudan February 18, 2018. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
Supporters shout outside the National Prison during the release of politicians and journalists, after demonstrations in Khartoum, Sudan February 18, 2018. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Sudanese authorities released on Sunday more than 80 political prisoners from jails in the capital Khartoum, a week after the African country appointed a new security chief.

All of them were arrested last month after protests against high prices and tough economic conditions that turned violent.

Among the released are politicians, activists, journalists and women, who went out from Kobar prison shouting "Freedom! Justice! Revolution!"

"According to President Omar al-Bashir's order, all detainees are being released," Abdelrehman al-Sadiq, a senior aide to Bashir, said.

Earlier that day, authorities invited the media, reporters of international agencies and newspapers to attend the release of the political prisoners, which is considered unprecedented.

The presidential decree aims to address the reasons for the arrests as the goal is to achieve national reconciliation and address national problems through dialogue, Sadiq explained.

Those freed on Sunday included Fadlalla Burma Nasir, son of former premier Sadiq al-Mahdi, Sarah Nugdallah, senior leaders of Sudan's main opposition Umma Party, and women's rights activist Amal Habbani.

Burma told journalists before his release that they were arrested despite peaceful protests, demanding the authorities to provide political freedoms, freedom of assembly and demonstration mandated by the constitution.

While son of former premier Sadiq al-Mahdi denounced the conditions of detention, and the torture of some of the detainees, he denied being personally subjected to physical torture, affirming that he was verbally abused.

Huge protests rocked Khartoum last month over the government's austerity measures, which devalued the currency and removed wheat subsidies, causing the price of bread to spike.



US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
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US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on what it said was a Houthi-linked petroleum smuggling and sanctions evasion network across Yemen and the United Arab Emirates in fresh action targeting the Iran-backed militant group.

The US Treasury Department in a statement said the two individuals and five entities sanctioned on Tuesday were among the most significant importers of petroleum products and money launderers that benefit the Houthis.

"The Houthis collaborate with opportunistic businessmen to reap enormous profits from the importation of petroleum products and to enable the group’s access to the international financial system," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender.

"These networks of shady businesses underpin the Houthis’ terrorist machine, and Treasury will use all tools at its disposal to disrupt these schemes."

Among those targeted on Tuesday was Muhammad Al-Sunaydar, who the Treasury said manages a network of petroleum companies between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates and was one of the most prominent petroleum importers in Yemen.

Three companies in his network were also designated, with the Treasury saying they coordinated the delivery of approximately $12 million dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum products with a US-designated company to the Houthis.

Since Israel's war in Gaza against the Palestinian group Hamas began in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea in what they say are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.

In January, Trump re-designated the Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization, aiming to impose harsher economic penalties in response to its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and against US warships defending the critical maritime area.

In May, the United States announced a surprise deal with the Houthis where it agreed to stop a bombing campaign against them in return for an end to shipping attacks, though the Houthis said the deal did not include sparing Israel.

The Israeli military attacked Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeidah port on Monday in its latest assault on the militants, who have been striking ships bound for Israel and launching missiles against it.