Sudan’s former spy chief speaks of "conspiracy" against him by Bashir’s aides
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July 17, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The former director of the National
Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh has accused
unnamed officials in the government of sowing discord between him and
president Omer Hassan al-Bashir.
JPEG - 21.8 kb
Salah Gosh, the former chief of Sudan’s intelligence service, is seen
following his pardon by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on July 10,
2013, in the capital Khartoum, on the first day of the Muslim holy
month of Ramadan (ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images)
The ex-spy chief, who was charged with plotting a coup last November
along with other army and security officers, was abruptly released
last week when the justice minister decided to drop the charges
against him after consulting with the presidency. .
Gosh, who was speaking at a public rally celebrating his release in
the Northern state town of Merowe on Wednesday, drew scathing
criticism on the Ingaz (salvation) regime, saying “No doubt, our
brothers who did injustice to us were misled by the demon”.
But he vehemently denied making a plea to the government disclosing
that some government officials offered to release him in a manner
similar to that of other army and security officers who saw their
sentences commuted by Bashir.
"I rejected their request and I also refused to write a plea," Gosh
said noting that he challenged them to send him to court if they had
evidence against him.
After more than six months in detention, the ex-spy chief and his
associate were formally charged last month with undermining the
constitutional order, inciting violence to topple the legitimate
government and breaching the anti-terrorism law.
Under Sudan’s penal code these charges carry the death penalty or life
imprisonment.
The government prosecutors strongly denied that Gosh’s release was due
to lack of evidence, stressing that his defense team appealed on the
basis that their client has served the country for a long time.
The former strongman also claimed that unidentified parties within the
government orchestrated plots to send him to jail and described his
accusation of involvement in the coup attempt as a “play badly
directed”, saying that it was nothing but a conspiracy against him
driven by jealousy and envy.
In a subtle reference to Bashir and other senior officials, the former
intelligence chief said that "his people [in the government]" should
have waited and verified allegations leveled against him before
passing judgment.
Gosh urged Bashir to turn a deaf ear to those around him who are
fabricating lies against him adding that nonetheless he has forgiven
all those who conspired against him and urged every Sudanese citizen
whom he had wronged to forgive him in “this holy month of Ramadan”,
comparing his story to that of Prophet Joseph as it was narrated in
the Quran.
The head of the high committee for Gosh’s reception, Mohamed Al-amin
Al-Karsani, for his part, said that the wisdom of the residents in the
5th constituency has prevented a fierce rebellion, adding “if Gosh
hadn’t directed us from his prison cell to be patient, we would have
engaged in a rebellion against the government”.
Gosh, who represents the 5th constituency in the national assembly,
pledged to continue his role as an MP following his release and
expressed openness to serve in a new role in the ruling National
Congress Party (NCP) or the government as long as it is not a marginal
one or one given as consolation.
While he affirmed his commitment to the NCP, Gosh said that should he
be booted from the party then "all options will be open to me".
He also denied any link to the Islamist al-Sa’ehoon reformist group
saying that he rejects reform attempts through writing memos.
Gosh was the head of NISS for about a decade until Bashir replaced him in 2009.
During his tenure Gosh boosted cooperation with America’s Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA), particularly after the 9 September 2001
attacks on New York and Washington.
After leaving the security service he became presidential security
adviser but was sacked in early 2011 after falling out with Bashir’s
assistant Nafie Ali Nafie over dialogue with the opposition.
He was also stripped of his leadership positions at the NCP.
The anti-secrecy website Wikileaks released US embassy cables in 2011
showing Gosh to be viewing Bashir as a liability given the
International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him.
He also appeared to be supportive of VP Ali Osman Taha taking over
from Bashir describing him "as a good person" and "a statesman".
(ST)
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