Sudan's Al-Burhan Orders Release of 400 Female Prisoners Amid Ongoing Conflict

In a humanitarian initiative, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the head of Sudan's Sovereign Council, has ordered the immediate release of 400 female prisoners from the Omdurman women's prison, including mothers held with their children. This decision also includes the cancellation of all financial penalties associated with common law offenses.

This action was announced during Al-Burhan's inspection visit to the women's prison located west of the capital, Khartoum, where he assessed prison conditions amid the ongoing conflict affecting the nation.

In a statement on his social media account, Al-Burhan said:
"I visited the Omdurman women's prison today and directed specialists to immediately release 400 female prisoners, including mothers with their children, and to annul all financial penalties related to common law."

He also outlined directives for the legal reclassification of the detainees and a review of the justice system for those accused, in collaboration with relevant authorities, to expedite legal proceedings and ensure legal rights, particularly in cases impacted by the war's aftermath.

Al-Burhan emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of legal procedures and the justice system to mitigate the effects of armed conflict and ensure fair law enforcement, considering the exceptional circumstances Sudan has faced since the conflict erupted in mid-April 2023.

This decision comes at a time when there are increasing local and international calls to improve humanitarian and legal conditions in the country, especially for the most affected groups, including women and children.