Sudan

On 23 September 2004, the National Security Agency (NSA) arrested two University of Khartoum students and took them to the NSA political section offices at Khartoum North. It was alleged that they were beaten and punched all over their bodies for an hour, as they were questioned about the activities of the Darfur Student Association. Abd Alrahman Mohamed Abd Alrahman (27 yrs) was released the next day, Friday 24 September 2004, at 4pm. Faisal Dawood Abd Alrahman's (26 yrs) current whereabouts...read more

Sudan's government is set to meet rebels from the Darfur region, in a bid to end the conflict described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Pro-government Arab militia have forced more than a million people from their homes and killed thousands. A ceasefire in Darfur was signed in April, but the fighting has continued. Khartoum, once accused of backing the Janjaweed militia, has vowed to disarm it. But the UN is concerned by reports of the forced relocation of refugees.

Reporters sans frontières (RSF) has called for the immediate release of Islam Salih, the Qatar-based television news network Al-Jazeera's Khartoum bureau chief. On 10 April 2004, Salih was convicted of "disseminating false news" and sentenced to one month in prison and a one million Sudanese pound (approx.US$3,800; 3,200 euros at the official rate) fine. He faces another month in prison if he does not pay the fine. The organisation also urged the Sudanese authorities to lift their news bla...read more

Reporters sans frontières (RSF) has called on the Sudanese authorities to stop harassing the daily "Khartoum Monitor" and allow it to resume publication at once, in line with a recent court decision. The English-language newspaper's publishing licence was cancelled on 12 July 2003, but this decision was struck down on appeal during the week of 8 September, and the National Press Council said the paper could resume publishing.

Dar Four rebels, in Western Sudan, said this week they are ready to sign a ceasefire with the Sudanese army after an initial agreement concluded with the Sudanese government during secret negotiations held in Chad. Sudan's liberation movement was established in August 2001 under the name of Dar Four liberation movement. It has been launching since February attacks against the Sudanese army in various areas of the almost desert areas of Dar Four. The rebels get logistic support from the mai...read more

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