KHARTOUM // Senior military and state intelligence figures were arrested yesterday in connection with a plot targeting "national stability" in Sudan.
The information minister said 13 people, including prominent retired general Saleh Gosh, Adil Al Tayeb from the National Intelligence and Security Service and Brig Mohammed Ibrahim had been arrested.
The details of the alleged plot were not clear, but the minister said that the men were targeting the stability of the state and the leaders of the state.
The arrests come after months of unease in the Sudanese capital, where a series of shocks have rocked the power base of the president, Omar Al Bashir, and political insiders say that calls for reform have grown louder both from opposition groups, the ruling National Congress party and security apparatus.
Mr Al Bashir replaced Mr Gosh with Mr Gosh's number two, Gen Mohamed Atta Al Moula, in August 2009.
Mr Gosh then became presidential security adviser until he was sacked early last year. He had been pushing for dialogue with the political opposition.
"The atmosphere in Sudan is expecting something like this," said Khalid Tigani Elnour of the Elaff weekly newspaper, "because there are so many differences in the government ... the political situation in Sudan is fluid."
More than a year after South Sudan became independent, depriving Khartoum of much of the revenue which used to come from the oil-rich south, Mr Al Bashir, who has ruled the country for 23 years, faces economic problems as well as simmering security issues along the south-north border and in the still-restive Darfur region.
With dwindling resources to fund petrol subsidies and control food prices, prices have dramatically risen in Sudan during the past year, with annual inflation currently estimated at about 45 per cent, people have been severely affected and there have been a series of demonstrations this year.
The ruling party has also faced political dissent, including from the Islamist wing, some of whose members used a conference held last week to express dissatisfaction at the government's heavy hand in controlling other political groups.
Saleh Osman, a former communist MP and long-time opponent of the government, said that the military and the security forces, which between them receive about 70 per cent of the state budget, are a powerful force in government ministries, as well as in other fields such as business and the judiciary.
Other observers have suggested that although a full-scale military coup is unlikely, some top leaders disagree with government policy, and there have been a number of high-level sackings of military officials. Mr Osman suggested that the dismissals were linked to fears of such plots as the one reported yesterday.
"The military may have been weakened," he said.
Farouk Abu Issa, the spokesman for an alliance of more than 20 opposition parties, said he had heard about the plot allegation, "but I think it is fake".
He said the opposition supports democratic, peaceful change through strikes and demonstrations.
"The government knows that," he said, adding that no opposition politicians were detained over the alleged incident.
A witness said that he saw troops moving early yesterday, but there were no signs of extra troops later in the day.
* With additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Company%20profile
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57%20Seconds
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THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Copa del Rey
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)
Second Test
In Dubai
Pakistan 418-5 (declared)
New Zealand 90 and 131-2 (follow on)
Day 3: New Zealand trail by 197 runs with 8 wickets remaining
The%20specs
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Results
6pm: Dubai Trophy – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Silent Speech, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby
(trainer)
6.35pm: Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m
Winner: Island Falcon, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Dirt)
1,400m
Winner: Rawy, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.45pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Desert Fire, Hector Crouch, Saeed bin Suroor
8.20pm: Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Naval Crown, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.55pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watsons
9.30pm: Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Dubai Icon, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor