Sudan: Election candidate killed

2010-02-06 08:00

Khartoum - Assailants stabbed to death on Friday a member of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party who was due to run in April's legislative elections, a party spokesperson said.

Mohammed Salihein was attacked outside his house by unidentified assailants, Fathi Sheila said, in what did not immediately appear as a "political act".

"Men stabbed him on his doorstep and fled, taking with them his mobile phone," Sheila said.

"He was wounded and was rushed to hospital but he died of his injuries," he said.

"I don't think it is a political act," he added.

Salihein was due to run in legislative elections slated to take place in April, to represent President Omar al-Bashir's ruling National Congress Party in the eastern state of Kassala.

Campaigning is set to begin on February 13 and end on April 8, three days before voting is due to begin in Sudan's first multi-party presidential, legislative and regional elections in 24 years. Polls will close April 18.

Analysts and international organisations have expressed fear that the polls will serve as a pretext for new violence in Sudan, which is emerging from two decades of civil war.

- SAPA