An armed security force raided the headquarters of the Civic Forum Organization on Thursday 3, January in Riyadh neighborhood in Khartoum where the organization’s head office is located. According to Alrakoba website on 3 January 2019, the security agents detained His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim Taha Ayoub (ex-Foreign Minister), Dr. Hassan Abdul Atti a civil society expert and director of Civic Forum Organization, Prof. Muntasir Al Tayeb a lecturer of the University of Khartoum’s Faculty of Medicine and journalist Ghurashi Awad of Al Midan newspaper.

Khartoum is witnessing a wave of demonstrations organized by the Professionals Association in coordination with other opposition groups. On 31 December, demonstrators demanded President Al Bashir to step down to pave the way for formation of a transitional government.

According to Alrakoba website the detention campaign targets opposition figures, jurists, youths and students in an attempt to calm the rising popular outcry.

Article 40 of the Interim Constitution of Sudan 2005 provides: “the right to peaceful assembly shall be guaranteed; every person shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form or join political parties, associations and trade or professional unions for the protection of his/her interests”. The text guarantees and safeguards the right to peaceful assembly and other rights connected with it, the right to expression, sit-ins and demonstration.

Source: Alrakoba