Sudan’s General Intelligence Service in Al Jazirah State on Monday briefly detained teacher Mai Abdel Latif in Wad Madani before releasing her later the same day, in connection with the ongoing teachers’ strike demanding improved living and professional conditions.
According to the Sudanese Teachers Committee, Abdel Latif was summoned by the intelligence service on Monday morning and remained in custody at its headquarters for several hours before being released later in the day.
Teachers in Al Jazirah State and several other Sudanese states continue to observe a scheduled strike that began on 14 June, calling for higher salaries, payment of outstanding financial entitlements, and implementation of decisions concerning the rights of education sector employees.
A member of the Sudanese Teachers Committee in Al Jazirah told Mashawir that detaining teachers or subjecting them to intimidation would not help resolve the crisis. Instead, he said, it reinforces the conviction that the dispute can only be addressed through a serious response to teachers’ legitimate demands, particularly improving salaries, paying outstanding dues, and implementing decisions related to education workers’ rights.
He added that the teachers’ unity and the continuation of the strike across several states demonstrate that the issue has evolved beyond livelihood concerns to become a matter of rights and dignity, stressing that attempts at intimidation would not deter teachers from continuing their peaceful action until their demands are met.
