Sudan army detains ex-ruling party leader Ahmed Haroun
Ahmed Haroun, wanted by the ICC, was detained in Khartoum two days after a televised podcast interview.
The Sudanese army detained Ahmed Haroun, chairman of the former ruling National Congress Party (NCP), on Sunday in Khartoum. Military Intelligence officers arrested Haroun, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes in Darfur. His detention occurred two days after he made his first public appearance since the war began in April 2023, during a televised podcast.
In the podcast, Haroun discussed the conflict, the RSF, and Islamists' role, denying they started the war and stating they joined after the military called for mobilization. He claimed the NCP and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) share battlefield interests against the RSF despite potential disagreements. Haroun dismissed claims of formal ties between Islamists and the military leadership.
Opposition politician Khalid Omar Yousif described the arrest as an attempt to deflect criticism after Haroun's public appearance. Yousif alleged Haroun had been in Sudan with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's knowledge and protection since April 2023, and accused him of participating in the conflict.