Yasir Arman, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Revolutionary Democratic Current (SPLM-RDC), announced his release on Thursday following a brief detention by Interpol in Kenya.
Arman was stopped at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on March 5, where he was informed that Sudanese authorities in Port Sudan had issued a red notice against him. He dismissed the charges as baseless and politically driven.
Initially held at the Kenyan Interpol office, Arman was later allowed to stay at a hotel, though his travel documents were confiscated. He remained in contact with Kenyan officials and supporters throughout the ordeal. The following morning, after intervention from officials in the Kenyan president’s office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his documents were returned, and he was released.
In his statement, Arman criticized Sudan’s military leadership, arguing that while the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued arrest warrants for former President Omer al-Bashir and his associates over war crimes and genocide, Sudanese pro-democracy figures were being targeted instead.
The pro-democracy coalition Smoud condemned Arman’s detention, calling for the immediate release of all opposition leaders facing what it described as fabricated charges. The group accused Sudan’s military authorities of protecting individuals wanted by the ICC while cracking down on activists advocating for democracy.
Arman used the incident to emphasize the need for an end to Sudan’s ongoing war, describing it as a brutal conflict against the Sudanese people. He urged all parties to prioritize peace, democracy, and economic stability.
He also expressed gratitude to his family, colleagues, and supporters in Kenya, Sudan, and beyond, thanking Kenyan officials for their assistance in securing his release.