Sudan Opposition Politician Detained in Nairobi

Sudanese opposition politician Yassir Arman has been arrested in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to reports, Yassir Arman was arrested after he arrived by air in Nairobi on March 5, 2025.

Sudan Tribune reports that the National Police Service (NPS) of Kenya were acting on an Interpol warrant requested by Sudan.

Arman is the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Revolutionary Democratic Current (SPLM-RDC).

The Kenyan police stopped Arman upon his arrival at the airport and informed him of an arrest warrant issued for him.

Afterwards, he was detained in a hotel withing Nairobi city pending while investigations were being conducted to establish whether the charges are criminal or political

Arman was transferred to a hotel in Nairobi after contacting parties who communicated with Interpol in Nairobi.

Sudan Tribune confirmed that there is a letter from the Sudanese Public Prosecution requesting Arman’s extradition to the Sudanese government.

According to the reports, Arman is accused of violating Sudanese law and international humanitarian law.

He had arrived in Kenya to meet Western diplomats about developments in Sudan, part of a regional effort by Sudanese civilian groups.

Yassir Arman Forms SPLM-RDC

Arman is the former Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) deputy secretary-general for Northern Sector.

He formed a new faction of the group (SPLM-RDC) in November 2022 just months after breaking away from the SPLM-North.

Arman was arrested and detained for several months following the October 2021 military coup in Sudan which ousted the civilian government of Abdallah Hamdok.

After his release, he decided to stay away from the SPLM faction led by Malik Agar.

Also Read: Video of Gachagua with Sudan’s RSF Leader Resurfaces

Kenya Warned for Hosting Sudan Rebels

The United States (US) became the latest country to warn Kenya for hosting Sudan Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

On March 5, US Bureau of Africa Affairs said forming a parallel government in Sudan risks further instability

“The U.S. is deeply concerned by reports the RSF & aligned actors have signed a ‘transitional constitution’ for Sudan,” read the statement in part.

“Attempts to establish a parallel government are unhelpful for peace & security for the country, and risk further instability and de facto partition of the country.”

RSF signed a charter with other political and armed entities for establishing such a government on February 23 in Nairobi.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait had also rejected the attempts by RSF aimed at establishing a rival government in Sudan.

Also Read: Sudan & UN Address Kenya’s Decision to Host RSF Rebels Meeting

Besigye Arrested in Nairobi

Uganda’s opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye was also arrested in Nairobi, Kenya on November 16, 2024.

He was accused of holding meetings outside the country to secure funding aimed at destabilizing their home country’s security.

Besigye has been in custody in Uganda since then.

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