Sudanese authorities released Omar el-Digeir, head of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party, after 60 days in custody linked to nationwide protests against President Omar al-Bashir's government.
El-Digeir was detained in December 2018 following mass demonstrations sparked by a threefold increase in bread prices. The protests evolved into broader calls for regime change, targeting Bashir's 29-year rule that began with an Islamist-backed coup in 1989.
The Sudanese Congress Party confirmed el-Digeir's release but stated 40 other members remain detained. The party pledged to continue peaceful resistance against the administration, which faces accusations of economic mismanagement and repression.
Bashir declared a year-long state of emergency in February 2019, dissolving regional governments and replacing them with military appointees. Security forces have killed at least 31 protesters according to officials, with human rights groups citing 51 fatalities including medical personnel and children.
Emergency courts have sentenced demonstrators to prison terms ranging from six months to five years. Despite crackdowns, protests persisted in Khartoum and Omdurman, with opposition groups forming the Alliance for Freedom and Change to coordinate demonstrations.
