Dr Alaa al-Din Nagmeldin al-Nugoud was taken from his home to an unknown location on Saturday 27 May by armed men. According to Dr al-Nugoud’s family they identified themselves as belonging to the intelligence services and the armed forces. 

Dr Al-Nugoud is a member of the Central Council of the Forces of Freedom and Change and spokesperson for the Sudanese Professionals Association. 

Doctors’ unions and human rights organisations have repeatedly raised the alarm over attacks by both military and militia on medical professionals and hospitals. According to the Sudanese Doctors’ Union by 16 May 20 hospitals had been forcibly evacuated and were being used as military bases by both sides. Hospitals are being used as a refuge for soldiers and to launch attacks and 17 hospitals that been bombed, the union said. There was looting and severe damage with many hospitals completely out of service and others only able to do emergency cases and limited first aid. 

Bridges are being blocked by the two military factions so no health workers can get through. At least 6 ambulances have been shot at and prevented from reaching their targets. 

Sudanese activists have told Middle East Solidarity that there are growing fears that Dr Al-Nagoud’s arrest is part of a systematic attempt by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and their opponents in the Rapid Support Forces militia to intimidate and potentially eliminate voices critical of the ongoing war. Dr Al-Nugoud has spoken at a solidarity conference organised by MENA Solidarity and backed by UK trade unions opposing the military coup of October 2021 and is a leading figure in a major coalition of political parties. Activists from Resistance Committees have also been targeted with arrests and disappearances. 

What you can do:

• Publically call on the Sudanese embassy in your country with an urgent request to the Sudanese Armed Forces to immediately release Dr Alaa al-Nugoud, to cease attacks on and arrests of health workers and attacks on medical facilities.