Egypt denies entry to Sudanese opposition leader

By Hossam Badawi

KHARTOUM

Egyptian authorities have denied access to Sudanese opposition leader Sadiq al-Mahdi, according to his party on Sunday.

In a statement, the National Umma Party said al-Mahdi was denied permission to enter Egypt late Saturday from the German capital, Berlin, where he attended a Sudanese opposition meeting.

According to the statement, the opposition leader remained stranded for around 10 hours at Cairo International Airport before flying to London.

The party said Egyptian authorities had previously asked al-Mahdi not to participate in the Sudanese opposition meeting in Berlin, which it described as “foreign dictations and interference in Sudanese affairs”.

In April, Sudanese authorities charged al-Mahdi with 10 counts, including collaborating with rebel groups, which could carry the death penalty.