Former Sudanese President Omar al‑Bashir, aged 80, has been moved from Merowe in the north to a hospital in the capital Khartoum for further treatment and diagnostic tests following the onset of an unexplained medical condition.
His attorney, Mohamed El‑Hassan El‑Amin, told Asharq Al‑Awsat on Wednesday that his client had been transferred to Khartoum two weeks ago for routine medical examinations, confirming that “there has been no change in his health status.”
He noted, however, that certain symptoms of “unknown cause” have appeared, which could necessitate travel abroad for testing with advanced medical equipment.
El‑Amin declined to provide further details about Bashir’s condition.
He added, however, that the former president suffers from recurrent low blood pressure and infections, stating: “This is all we can disclose at this stage.”
Regarding reports that Sudanese authorities have approved Bashir’s travel abroad, El‑Amin said: “There is no official decision so far.”
However, he disclosed that some government officials expressed no objection.
“This request was raised more than a year ago, but no progress has been made in its implementation,” he added.
El‑Amin confirmed that the same authorities had facilitated the travel of former Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh to Ankara, Turkey, for medical treatment, revealing for the first time Saleh’s presence outside the country.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has accused Bashir of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur during his rule. He was also convicted of corruption and illicit financing and faced other trials before the war erupted in April 2023. At that time he was detained at a military base in Omdurman before being transferred to Merowe in northern Sudan.
Sudanese media reports had indicated that the former president’s health had significantly deteriorated over the past few days, prompting his transfer to Khartoum.
High‑level sources, however, refuted to Asharq Al‑Awsat claims about the deterioration of his health, saying that recent measures are intended to pave the way for his travel abroad in anticipation of domestic political shifts or regional developments.
The sources said Islamists are seeking to preempt potential rapid shifts in the political landscape that could place the authorities, led by Sovereignty Council President Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan, in extreme embarrassment before the International Criminal Court if Bashir remains in the country.
According to the sources, who preferred to remain anonymous, prominent Islamist leaders in the ousted National Congress Party had previously made contacts to arrange Bashir’s transfer abroad, after obtaining approval to host him.
The sources added that the ousted president had previously been offered a transfer to Eritrea but declined, despite Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki having expressed willingness to host him.
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