Sudan opposition party in crosshairs amid protest calls

By Mohamed al-Khatam

KHARTOUM

A number of Sudanese opposition figures were arrested this week for calling on citizens to hold anti-austerity protests.

On Wednesday, Omar al-Digair, head of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCP), was arrested from his home in capital Khartoum, the party said in a statement.

According to the SCP, al-Digair’s arrest came as part of "a security crackdown aimed at curbing opposition calls to stage protests against a recent government decision to reduce fuel subsidies".

Anadolu Agency, however, has yet to verify al-Digair’s arrest from independent sources.

Party officials, for their part, say al-Digair’s arrest brings to 12 the total number of SCP members to have been detained since last week, when the government lifted subsidies on fuel and medicine while also announcing an increase in electricity prices.

On Monday, the authorities also arrested former SCP leader Ibrahim al-Sheikh only hours after he had urged opposition leaders to organize anti-austerity protests.

And last Friday, the authorities arrested Khaled Omar, deputy head of the SCP, after he allegedly urged the members of the public to demonstrate against the regime of President Omar al-Bashir.

In September of 2013, Khartoum’s decision to partially lift fuel subsidies sparked days of violent protests across the country.