The family of Sudan's former president Omar al-Bashir announced on Wednesday that his health condition has significantly worsened, necessitating urgent medical attention abroad. According to a statement, medical reports indicate that Bashir requires treatment that is not currently available in Sudan. The family has appealed to the relevant authorities to approve his travel abroad for medical treatment.
Bashir, 82, is currently receiving treatment at Aliaa Military Hospital in Omdurman, after being transferred from the northern town of Merowe. His lawyer, Mohamed Hassan al-Amin, stated that military authorities had given initial approval for Bashir to travel abroad for medical treatment. However, final approval from senior political and military leaders is still pending.
The family has expressed concern that despite reports of approval, they have not received any official notification regarding Bashir's travel abroad. They have urged army chief and Sovereign Council head Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to consider Bashir's health and allow him to receive the necessary treatment abroad.
Bashir has been in detention for nearly eight years, and his family has renewed calls for his release. He was ousted in April 2019 after months of mass protests and later convicted by a Sudanese court on corruption-related charges. Bashir has faced proceedings over the 1989 coup that brought him to power.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Bashir on charges including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity over the conflict in Darfur. He denies the allegations. Sudan's healthcare system has been severely disrupted by the war that erupted in April 2023 between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
In September 2024, authorities transferred Bashir and other former officials from the Wadi Seidna military area near Omdurman to Merowe for medical treatment. Two of those officials, former first vice-president Bakri Hassan Saleh and retired Brigadier General Youssef Abdel Fattah, were released on health grounds in April 2025.
The family of Omar al-Bashir continues to appeal for his urgent medical attention abroad, citing the severity of his health condition. Bashir seized power in a 1989 military coup and ruled Sudan for three decades. His health condition has sparked concerns among his family and supporters, who argue that he requires specialized medical care that is not available in Sudan.
Key points
- The family of Sudan's former president Omar al-Bashir says his health has deteriorated and he urgently needs medical treatment outside the country.
- Bashir's lawyer stated that military authorities had given initial approval for the former president to travel abroad for medical treatment.
- The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Bashir on charges including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity over the conflict in Darfur.
