Khartoum security detains, obstructs anti-dam protesters

The Sudanese security service raided El Mahas club in Khartoum on Thursday evening and detained a number of people who oppose the Kajbar dam project, one week after agents prevented a public meeting on the issue in the club house.

Committees against the Kajbar dam in Sudan's Northern State called for a mass rally in the Sudanese capital yesterday evening. Security agents in three vehicles arrived at El Mahas and detained about 12 committee members.

Afterwards, a large number of people affected by the construction of the dam and sympathisers decided to hold a sit-in in front of the club house. They demanded from the security service to release the arrested persons.

Security agents returned to El Mahas later that evening and promised to release the detainees.

On 21 January, the security service sealed off El Mahas in anticipation of a mass gathering against the Kajbar dam, a project that has gained opposition after an agreement with Saudi Arabia on the construction was passed by Sudanese Parliament.