This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
Former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who seized power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, is now facing new charges for his alleged role in the coup. The charges come as Bashir is already on trial in a Sudanese court for illegally acquiring and using foreign funds.
According to a statement from the legal committee of the protest movement Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), arrest warrants have been issued against Bashir and several of his top aides, including Nafa Ali Nafa, Ali Osman Taha, and Ibrahim al-Sanousi, for their alleged involvement in the 1989 coup.
Additionally, arrest warrants have been issued against Ali al-Haj, a senior leader from the Islamist Popular Congress Party, which was an ally of Bashir's government.
Like Bashir, Nafa and Taha are already in prison, while Sanousi and Haj are still free. If found guilty, the accused could face the death penalty or life imprisonment under Sudanese law.
It's worth noting that Bashir is also wanted by the International Criminal Court for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the war in Darfur.
As Sudan transitions to a civilian rule, the country is now ruled by a joint civilian and military sovereign council, which is tasked with overseeing the country's transition.
Published on November 13, 2019.
