Sudan's military council releases 3 rebel leaders

KHARTOUM, Sudan

Sudan’s ruling military council has released three leaders of the rebel SPLM-N group and deported them to South Sudan, according to a rebel source.

Yassir Arman, Khamis Jalab and Mubarak Ardol were set free and deported to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

“The three already arrived in Juba,” the source confirmed.

Earlier, the official SUNA news agency said the three rebel leaders were released, but without giving any further details.

Arman, for his part, confirmed his deportation to Juba, along with the two other SPLM-N leaders.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Arman, the SPLM-N deputy leader, said they were deported “blind-folded and handcuffed” aboard a military plane.

"We were forcibly deported against our will,” he said.

There was no comment from Sudanese authorities on the report.

The release of the three rebel leaders came two days after British Ambassador in Khartoum, Irfan Siddiq, called for their immediate release.

SPLM-N has engaged in armed insurgency against government forces in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states since 2011.

The release came one day after Sudanese protesters staged a nationwide civil disobedience campaign as part of pressure on the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) to hand over power to a civilian government.

Sudan has remained in turmoil since April 11, when the military establishment deposed long-serving President Omar al-Bashir after months of popular protests against his 30-year rule.