We are deeply concerned by the report that Sami al-Baqir, spokesperson for the Sudanese Teachers’ Committee (STC) was arrested by Military Intelligence in Port Sudan on Friday 22 September. As the union’s media officer, Mr al-Baqir has been at the forefront of defending Sudanese teachers’ rights to strike and organise in a context where war between Sudan’s rival military and militia factions has devastated the country. Sudanese teachers have not been paid for months and recently took to the streets across Sudan in protest. The national teachers’ strike in 2022 saw tens of thousands of STC members take action over collapsing living standards and the deterioration of the public education system. 

The arrest of Mr al-Baqir comes at a time when the military authorities in Port Sudan and other cities have been arresting anti-war activists, including doctors, engineers and teachers, while harassment of government critics is increasing. We demand that the Sudanese military and militia factions stop the arrests and harassment of trade unionists and critics of the authorities and urge trade unionists around the world to show their solidarity with Mr al-Baqir, the STC and other Sudanese activists.

Names will be published on www.menasolidaritynetwork.com and will be sent to the Sudanese embassy in London. Please leave your email address if you would like further updates from MENA Solidarity Network.