Khartoum (AFP) - The US embassy urged Sudan on Thursday to respect freedom of expression, after state security agents arrested former prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi for reportedly accusing a counter-insurgency unit of abuses.
In a statement, the embassy expressed "deep concern" over the Saturday detention of Umma Party chief Mahdi.
"We urge the government of Sudan to respect the fundamental human right to freedom of expression of all Sudanese citizens," enshrined in the country's interim constitution, the statement said.
Observers have said Mahdi's arrest, by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), undermines talks launched by President Omar al-Bashir to find a way out of the multiple crises gripping the impoverished, war-torn country.
The embassy said that Bashir pledged to increase freedom of expression when he called for a national dialogue in January and April.
"We urge the government of Sudan to honour its public pledges", the embassy said.
A British embassy spokesman has also expressed deep concern over Mahdi's arrest, saying: "This isn't the way to do national dialogue."
Mahdi reportedly accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which are under NISS command, of rape and other abuses of civilians in the Darfur region.
In an April report, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said RSF elements had attacked and burned villages in Darfur.
RSF commanders denied that their unit raped, looted or committed arson.
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