Open Records Laws › Sudan

Sudan

Right to Access Information Law of 2015

Right to Access Information Law of 2015 (قانون حق الوصول إلى المعلومات لعام 2015)

RTI Rating: 65 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
14 days
Residency Required
None

Responses must be provided "within the shortest possible time limits that should not exceed two weeks from the date of submitting." Expedited requests (information necessary to protect life or freedom) must be answered within 2 days. Law does not specify whether these are calendar or business days. No extensions are permitted.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • {'notes': 'Written request on official form or letter addressed to the information officer at the relevant public institution', 'method': 'written'}

Requests must be submitted in writing to the designated information officer. The law does not mandate specific forms, and if forms are provided, they cannot be used to delay responses or burden applicants. Article grants access to "any person" broadly without residency restrictions.

Required Elements

  • Description of the details to determine whether the public institution maintains a document containing the requested information

Fees

Fees may be imposed with Commissioner approval, reflecting the cost of providing or preparing requested information. The law lacks centrally-set fee limits or requirements that fees be restricted to reproduction and delivery costs only.

Exemptions

  • Classified Information
    Secrets under other legislation
  • Confidential/Privileged Documents
    Documents subject to confidentiality or privilege
  • International Agreements
    Documents obtained from other states
  • National Security
    Defense, state security, or foreign policy (if fewer than 50 years old)
  • Pre-Decision Deliberations
    Analysis, recommendations, proposals before decisions made
  • Personal Information
    Educational, medical, employment records; bank transfers; professional secrets
  • Commercial Information
    Trade secrets; tenders; research; intellectual property
  • Ongoing Negotiations
    Information that could influence negotiations
  • Investigations
    By judicial/security bodies; financial/customs violations (if authority does not authorize disclosure)
  • Confidential Third-Party Information
    Information obtained privately from other institutions
  • Trade Secrets and Commercial Damages
    Information that would cause commercial harm
  • Pre-Published Information
    Information with established current-year publication dates

Most exemptions are mandatory (not subject to harm tests). No mandatory public interest override exists. The law contains no provision requiring disclosure despite protected interests when public interest demands it.

Appeal Process

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Sudan's appeals system is critically weak. No internal appeal mechanism exists. The external Commission lacks independence (subject to ministerial oversight, government-appointed members, no tenure protections) and has no established procedures or timelines. Judicial appeal available but law provides no clarity on remedies, costs, or procedures.

Sources & References