Turkish foundation to take over Gülenist schools in Sudan

Two schools in Sudan linked to the network of U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gülen, the main suspect in the probes into the July 15 coup attempt, will be taken over by a Turkish educational foundation in line with a protocol signed earlier between Khartoum and Ankara, a Turkish diplomat told Anadolu Agency on Dec. 1.

Turkish Ambassador to Sudan Cemalettin Aydın said the protocol had been signed with Sudanese authorities allowing for the transfer of the schools to Turkey's Maarif (Education) Foundation.        

According to Aydın, Sudanese efforts against Gülenists began before July 15, with local officials taking steps to hand over the administrations of Gülen-linked schools in January of last year.        

Aydın went on to say that, since Aug. 17 - one month after the coup attempt - Sudanese authorities had shut down several Gülen-linked organizations in the country, including a language school, three cultural centers, a magazine and two student dormitories.        

A large number of Gülenists, he added, including school principals  and teachers, had also been detained and asked to leave the country.        

Most recently, on Nov. 18, Turkey signed a protocol with Chad for the transfer of all schools ruled by Gülenists in the country to Turkey's Maarif Foundation.