Sudan arrests opposition SPLM leaders; prevents Al Jazeera from covering the demonstration

SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum and his deputy Yassir Arman

The Sudan Tribune is reporting that the Sudanese government arrested “SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum and his deputy Yassir Arman”,  opposition leaders from the Sudanese People Liberation Movement (SPLM). In addition, Al Jazeera was prevented from covering the demonstration and had their tapes confiscated.

The detention of these SPLM leaders is a troublesome sign that the upcoming elections in Sudan in April 2010 will not be free and fair.

UPDATE: The leaders along with 500 other protesters have now been released.

UPDATE on Tuesday, December 7th:  I’m glad the US State Dept has condemned the use of violence against the protesters.  Here is what General Scott Gration had to say.

“I am deeply concerned about these developments and urge all parties to exercise restraint. Negotiations on issues of urgent importance to all of the Sudanese people cannot proceed in an atmosphere of intimidation.”

– Scott Gration

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Read the complete article at Sudan Tribune.

Here is the statement from the US State Dept condemning the use of violence against protestors in Sudan.