Sudanese singer arriving from Juba with $300,000 detained at airport

JUBA – Sudanese authorities on Monday briefly detained a famous singer arriving from South Sudan’s capital Juba with at least $300,000 and several kilograms of gold at Khartoum airport, according to one security source.

Asha al-Jabaliya has been in Juba since October participating on concerts ahead of the signing of Sudanese peace deal between government and a number of opposition groups on October 3.

Speaking to Sudans Post this morning, the security official said Asha was detained at airport, but was released following interrogation on where he brought the money and the gold.

“She was arrested and then detained at airport. After interrogation, he said he got the money from concerts and the gold as gifts from senior government official of the state of South Sudan and he was then released,” the official said.

Several phone calls to Asha were unsuccessful, but several official also told ,Sudans Post that Asha went to Juba in October upon an invitation from South Sudan presidential advisor on security, Tutkew Gatluak who is also the chief negotiator for Sudanese parties.