Kuwait suspends visas to Sudanese amid crisis: Local media

ISTANBUL (AA) - Kuwait on Thursday suspended issuing visas to Sudanese amid internal turmoil, according to local media.

Daily Al-Qabas, citing security sources, said Kuwait's Directorate of Residency received a verbal order to stop issuing all transactions related to granting entry visas to Sudanese passport holders until further notice.

This procedure is similar to what was followed with most countries that experienced internal turmoil.

According to the daily, the reason behind the order is that a number of communities experiencing turmoil in their countries are trying to bring their families through tourist visits and family residency.

This may result in infiltration of wanted persons by the authorities of their country or dangerous elements, which are not approved by the Kuwaiti security authorities.

The sources also said Sudanese who have residency in the country are not excluded from the decision and they have the right to return to the country as well as renew their residency.

There was no comment from the Kuwaiti authorities on the report.

On Oct. 25, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s ruling military council, declared a state of emergency and dissolved the transitional Sovereign Council and government, triggering mass protests across the country.

The move came amid mutual accusations between the military and politicians in the wake of a failed coup attempt in September.

Before the military takeover, Sudan was administered by a sovereign council of military and civilian officials which was overseeing the transition period until elections slated for 2023 as part of a precarious power-sharing pact between the military and the Forces for Freedom and Change coalition.

*Writing by Bassel Barakat in Ankara