Sudanese Parliamentarian suspected of defection to the opposition

An independent Sudanese newspaper Al-Usbou suggested that a member of the Sudanese parliament might have defected to the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) which has been fighting for over 14 years against the central government.

The paper said it based its conclusions on interviews conducted with some other MPs who expressed their belief that the parliament member must have joined the SPLA.

Gamar Hassan Altahir, a member of the Sudanese National Assembly (parliament) representing Algallabat constituency in eastern Sudan, failed to show up for parliamentarian activities and was reported by the parliament's secretariat as missing for more than 24 consecutive sessions so far. Another Sudanese newspaper, Alwan, which is very close to the government reported that the parliament member was abducted from his home at Algallabat area while visiting his constituency by a group of armed men.

No further details were given by the newspaper regarding the reasons or the date of the abduction. The SPLA has not confirmed or denied any involvement in the case.