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Arrest sparks diplomatic tensions as Sudan seeks extradition, while Sudanese opposition groups call charges politically motivated
Kenyan police have arrested Sudanese opposition leader Yassir Arman after he arrived in Nairobi. Arman is the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Revolutionary Democratic Current (SPLM-RDC). His arrest happened because of an international warrant issued by Interpol at the request of the Sudanese government.
The Sudanese Attorney General, Al-Fateh Tayfour, announced last September that they were seeking to arrest leaders of a political group called the Coordination of Civilian Democratic Forces, also known as Tagadum. The Sudanese government accuses them of working with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in Sudan’s ongoing conflict since April 2023. The list of wanted people includes former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and several other leaders who oppose the war.
When Arman landed in Nairobi, Kenyan police stopped him at the airport and told him about the arrest warrant. Instead of taking him to jail, they held him in a hotel while they investigated whether the charges against him were legal under international law. The police are trying to determine whether he should be extradited to Sudan or released.
Sudan Tribune, a news source, obtained a letter from Sudanese authorities requesting Arman’s extradition. The letter claims he has broken Sudanese and international laws and should be investigated. However, opposition groups argue that these charges are politically motivated. They believe the Sudanese government is trying to silence opposition voices by using international law unfairly.
Arman traveled to Kenya to meet Western diplomats and discuss the situation in Sudan. His visit was part of a larger effort by Sudanese civilian groups to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. A new anti-war coalition called Smoud has been formed by civil forces. Smoud opposes both the Sudanese military government and the RSF, rejecting efforts by either side to form a new government without civilian involvement.
On September 24, the Legal and Human Rights Committee of Tagadum sent a complaint to Interpol, arguing that the charges against Arman and other leaders were unfair. They described the accusations as political attacks rather than legitimate criminal cases. The charges include claims of undermining Sudan’s constitutional order, committing genocide, and inciting rebellion.
Sources close to the situation are calling on Kenyan authorities to release Arman and reject Sudan’s extradition request. They argue that the government in Port Sudan, where Sudan’s military leaders are based, is abusing international legal systems to target political opponents.
This arrest raises several important questions. First, will Kenya comply with Sudan’s request, or will it protect Arman and other Sudanese opposition figures? Second, how will this affect Kenya’s relationship with Sudan? Extraditing Arman could be seen as Kenya supporting Sudan’s military-led government, while releasing him could cause diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Finally, this case highlights how political conflicts in Sudan are spilling over into other countries, drawing in international actors and legal systems.
For now, Arman remains in Kenya, waiting for authorities to decide his fate. His case is being closely watched by human rights organizations, Sudanese opposition groups, and international diplomats. The outcome could set a precedent for how other political refugees and opposition leaders are treated in the region.