Monday, November 9, 2026 - Sudan's military authorities have detained Ahmed Haroun, the former chairman of the country's ruling National Congress Party and a prominent Islamist figure under ousted president Omar al-Bashir.
The arrest was confirmed on Sunday, November 8, 2026, by party officials and defense lawyers. Haroun, who had remained largely out of public view since escaping prison during Sudan's ongoing civil war, was reportedly detained following a high-profile podcast interview in which he discussed his relationship with the military leadership.
His current whereabouts and the precise circumstances surrounding his detention remain unclear. The development has immediately drawn attention because Haroun is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged atrocities committed in Darfur.
Haroun's detention comes just days after he publicly addressed the relationship between the National Congress Party and Sudanese Armed Forces, saying that although the two sides were not politically aligned, they shared a common interest in defeating the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
His comments reportedly generated criticism from opposition figures and human rights activists, who have questioned the influence of former Islamist officials within Sudan's military establishment.
Haroun faces 42 ICC charges, including 20 counts of crimes against humanity and 22 war crimes, relating to alleged murder, rape, torture, persecution and forced displacement in Darfur between 2003 and 2004. He has denied the allegations and described the charges as politically motivated.
The arrest creates fresh uncertainty over Sudan's political and military landscape as the country continues to endure a devastating civil war that has caused mass displacement, widespread hunger and serious human rights abuses.
Haroun's National Congress Party has demanded his immediate release, describing the detention as an arbitrary action against a political figure. Meanwhile, international attention is likely to focus on whether Sudan's military authorities will eventually transfer him to the ICC to face the outstanding charges.
The court has repeatedly called for accountability for crimes committed in Darfur, making Haroun's detention a significant development in the long-running pursuit of justice for victims. For now, the circumstances behind the military's decision and Haroun's next legal steps remain uncertain.
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