Sudan's president has freed his former ally, Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi, who was detained last year in connection with an alleged coup plot. "(I announce) the release of all political detainees," said President Omar al-Bashir marking the 16th anniversary of his coup. Mr Turabi is a controversial figure in Sudanese politics and has spent much of the last five years in detention. His Popular National Congress confirmed his release to Reuters news agency. Mr Turabi was once a close colleague of President Bashir but he lost out in a power-struggle between the two in 1999. He has been detained since March last year, and was connected with what the government says was a foiled coup attempt in September 2003. "He has been released from the place he was being held and he is on his way to the headquarters of the party," his secretary Awad Babiker said.
| I smell a deal, let out a popular islamist leader to ensure his parties support. At least till the next coup attempt. |