Sudanese authorities arrest opposition figure

Former leader of Sudanese Conference Party arrested after calling for anti-austerity protests, according to party sources

By Mohamed al-Khatam

KHARTOUM (AA) - Sudanese authorities arrested Ibrahim al-Sheikh, a former leader of the opposition Sudanese Conference Party (SCP), from his home in capital Khartoum on Monday, party sources have said.

According to a statement issued by the party, al-Sheikh was arrested only hours after he had "sent a message to opposition leaders urging them to hit the streets to protest recent reductions in state energy subsidies".

The Sudanese authorities, for their part, have yet to provide a reason for al-Sheikh’s arrest.

Last Friday, the authorities also arrested Khaled Omar, deputy head of the SCP, after he gave a speech in which he allegedly urged the Sudanese public to demonstrate against the regime of President Omar al-Bashir.

Last week, the Sudanese government lifted state subsidies on fuel products and medicine, while also announcing an increase in consumer electricity prices.

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

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