Sudan’s al-Bashir orders release of political detainees

By Bahram Abdel-Moneim

KHARTOUM

President Omar al-Bashir on Tuesday ordered the release of all political detainees in the country in response to calls by Sudanese political parties, the official SUNA news agency reported.

According to SUNA, the move is aimed at “promoting the spirit of national unity” that came out of Sudan’s 2014 national dialogue initiative with the country’s political opposition.

Al-Bashir recently said that a draft of proposed constitutional changes -- including one that would abolish presidential term limits -- would be put before a popular referendum.

“According to the recommendations that came out of the national dialogue initiative, the constitution should be amended,” the president said last week.

A date for the planned constitutional referendum, however, has yet to be set.

By Bahram Abdel-Moneim

KHARTOUM

President Omar al-Bashir on Tuesday ordered the release of all political detainees in the country in response to calls by Sudanese political parties, the official SUNA news agency reported.

According to SUNA, the move is aimed at “promoting the spirit of national unity” that came out of Sudan’s 2014 national dialogue initiative with the country’s political opposition.

Al-Bashir recently said that a draft of proposed constitutional changes -- including one that would abolish presidential term limits -- would be put before a popular referendum.

“According to the recommendations that came out of the national dialogue initiative, the constitution should be amended,” the president said last week.

A date for the planned constitutional referendum, however, has yet to be set.