Sudan has revoked the citizenship of the former leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, along with more than 3,500 other foreign-born individuals. Such citizenships were granted to “influential personalities” by the regime of former President Omar Al-Bashir, local media have reported.
Earlier this week, the Sudanese authorities also suspended all visa-free entry procedures for Syrians and other. They must all now obtain a visa prior to arriving at the border. Critics say that this is due to the country turning towards Western-style secularism.
The Sudanese have taken these steps following the country’s removal from the US list of states which support terrorism. This was a condition of Sudan’s normalisation with the occupation state of Israel.
Al-Bashir was removed from power following several months of violent anti-regime protests in 2019. A special committee was formed to examine the passports issued during Al-Bashir’s time in office after allegations surfaced that some were being sold for $10,000 to $15,000 each.
READ: Sudan says US has committed to providing wheat over four years, financial aid
![Former leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaalin in Cape Town, South Africa on 21 October 2015 [RODGER BOSCH/AFP/Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/d2.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/GettyImages-493613546.jpg?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1)