Sudan to release all female political detainees

KHARTOUM

Sudan’s president late Friday ordered the release of all women detained during the country’s ongoing protests.

Addressing a political rally in the capital Khartoum, Omar al-Bashir announced he had instructed the country's intelligence chief to free all female political prisoners.

“We ordered the chief of intelligence, Salah Gosh, to release all women detainees without delay,” Bashir said.

In January, Interior Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman said around 800 protesters had been arrested but around 160 were released the same month.

Bashir also pledged at the rally to carry out economic reform.

Thousands of women protested Thursday in the capital to mark International Women’s Day.

Hundreds of people also staged demonstrations after Friday prayers calling on Bashir to step down.