Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Sudan's Army Chief Among Several Arrested in Alleged Coup Plot

VOA News

   Sudan's military said Wednesday that it had arrested the army chief and
   several senior officers in connection with a foiled coup attempt.
   In a statement,the army said it had arrested Gen. Hashem
   Abdel-MuttalibBabakr, the head of the joint chiefs of staff, and at
   least a dozen other high-ranking officers linked to a suspected bid to
   return the party of ousted President Omar al-Bashir to power.

   The state news service SUNA said members of the "the National
   Intelligence and Security Service, along with leaders of the Islamic
   Movement and the National Congress Party," were also implicated. The
   date of the alleged coup attempt was not clear.
   It was the second coup attempt reported this month. Earlier, the
   military council, which took over the country after ousting Bashir in
   April, said it had arrested at least 16 active and retired military
   officers in connection with an attempted coup on July 11.
   "The failed attempt aims to abort your glorious revolution and to
   return the former National Congress regime to power," and to disrupt
   efforts to establish a civilian-run state, the council said about the
   latest attempt.
   Babakrwas appointed chief of staff just days after Bashir was ousted in
   April, followingmonths ofprotests againstthe president's 30-year rule.
   The ruling military council is trying to finalize a power-sharing deal
   with protest leadersfor a three-year transition toward elections.

.