KHARTOUM – Sudanese authorities have detained Ahmed Haroun, chairman of the former ruling National Congress Party and a fugitive wanted by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, party officials said on Sunday.

The National Congress Party said Haroun was detained around midday without being given a reason and called for his immediate release.

The circumstances of the detention and Haroun’s current location were not immediately clear, and Sudanese authorities had not publicly announced charges against him.

The arrest came shortly after Haroun made a rare public appearance in a televised interview in which he discussed the war, the relationship between the former ruling party and the Sudanese military, and the country’s political future.

The NCP condemned the detention as an arbitrary use of state authority and argued that it contradicted calls by Sudanese leaders for a national political dialogue.

The party said Haroun had been detained for expressing his political views and pledged to use available means to secure his release.

Wanted by the ICC Since 2007

Haroun has been wanted by the International Criminal Court since 2007 over alleged crimes committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004.

The ICC arrest warrant contains 20 counts of crimes against humanity and 22 counts of war crimes, including allegations of murder, persecution, forcible transfer, rape, torture, attacks against civilians and pillaging.

Haroun has rejected the ICC accusations and previously described the case against him as politically motivated.

He served in senior positions under former President Omar al-Bashir, including as state minister for the interior and governor of South Kordofan.

The ICC has repeatedly sought his arrest and transfer to The Hague, where his case remains at the pre-trial stage because he has not appeared before the court.

The latest detention raises questions over whether Sudanese authorities intend to pursue domestic proceedings, continue holding him on separate grounds or take any action regarding the outstanding ICC warrant.

No official announcement had been made on those issues.