Sudanese defense minister dies of heart attack

By Mohammed Amin
KHARTOUM (AA) – Sudan's Defense Minister Gamal Omer died in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on Wednesday, according to the Sudanese authorities.

The Sudanese Sovereign Council said in a statement that Omer, 59, was in Juba for talks on security arrangements with Sudanese rebel groups.

In a separate statement, the Sudanese army said Omer's death was caused by a heart attack.

An official funeral is scheduled to be held for the minister in Khartoum on Wednesday after his body is returned to the capital.

Omer was a member of the Transitional Military Council (TMC) that took over power after the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir by the military last year.

He also served as the head of the military intelligence service from March 2017 until al-Bashir's overthrow last April.