Kenyan authorities have detained Sudanese opposition leader Yassir Arman, the head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Revolutionary Democratic Current (SPLM-RDC), following an Interpol request from Sudan. Arman, who arrived in Nairobi to meet Western diplomats about Sudan’s political crisis, was arrested upon landing in Kenya and informed of the arrest warrant issued against him by Sudan.
The warrant stems from accusations related to his involvement with the Coordination of Civilian Democratic Forces (Tagadum), an anti-war coalition in Sudan. In September 2024, Sudan’s Attorney General Al-Fateh Tayfour confirmed that Tagadum leaders, including Arman, faced charges for allegedly collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing conflict that began in April 2023.
Kenyan authorities have detained Arman in a hotel while investigating whether the charges against him are criminal or politically motivated. Arman’s coalition, Smoud, opposes both Sudan’s military-led government and efforts by the RSF and certain political factions to establish a parallel government. Tagadum leaders, including Arman, argue that the charges against them are politically driven, with accusations ranging from undermining Sudan’s constitutional order to inciting rebellion.
This detention highlights ongoing political tensions surrounding Sudan’s civil war and the efforts of Sudanese civilian groups to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape.
Interpol-Image-by-Dmytro-Konovalenko
