Reporters Without Borders: Both Warring Parties Committed Widespread Violations Against Journalists in Sudan
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A prominent international press freedom organization has condemned both sides of the conflict in Sudan for committing widespread violations against Sudanese journalists, including killings, injuries, and harassment over two years of war. It also criticized the international media’s silence on the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Sudan.
In its latest report documenting the wars impact on journalists, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) revealed that 43 journalists have been subjected to killings, injuries, threats, surveillance, and online harassment by both parties to the conflict. The organization also denounced the lack of international media attention to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
RSF stated it had reached out to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for comment but received no response.
“There is clear evidence that both warring parties have committed violations against media workers with complete impunity,” said Martin Rowe, Head of RSF’s Crisis Desk, on Monday.
“While the regular army must immediately release journalist Hassan Hamid, the Rapid Support Forces must do the same for media worker Mamoun Hassan Humeid. Until peace is restored, the international community must pressure both sides and their allies to ensure independent and safe access for journalists across Sudan.”
Rowe also criticized international media for ignoring the crisis:
“There is a stark contrast between the immense humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan over the past two years and the minimal media coverage it has received. In North Darfur, for instance, the situation on the ground is so inaccessible that news outlets face serious difficulties verifying casualty figures and the extent of destruction caused by attacks on civilians.”
Documented Incidents:
RSF’s data shows that at least seven journalists were killed between July 2023 and November 2024. The victims include:
Issam Hassan Murjan (Sudanese Radio and Television Corporation)
Halima Idris Salim (Independent channel "Sudan Bukra")
Ahmed Yousif Arabi (Blue Nile TV)
Khalid Bilal (Former Director of Media at the Supreme Council for Media and Culture)
Muawiya Abdel Raziq (Investigative journalist for Sudanese outlets Al-Jareeda, Akhir Lahza, and Al-Akhbar)
Hatim Mamoun (TV cameraman for Sudania 24)
Sami Abdel Hafiz (Sudanese Radio and Television Corporation)
Five of these killings occurred in Khartoum, one in El Fasher (North Darfur), and another in Jebeit (Red Sea State).
Four of the murders have been attributed to the Rapid Support Forces, while three were carried out by unidentified armed groups.
Additionally, Abdelrahman Warab, a journalist with the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), remains missing. Reports suggest he may have been abducted by RSF fighters from his home in Khartoum in June 2023.
RSF continues to call for justice, accountability, and international pressure to safeguard journalists and uphold press freedom in Sudan.
17 Media Workers Detained — Two Still Behind Bars
Since the outbreak of war, 17 media workers have been subjected to arbitrary detention by either the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) or the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). While most of these detentions lasted only a few days, some extended for months. Two journalists remain imprisoned to this day.
The RSF held journalist Haitham Dafallah in Khartoum for over two months between January and March 2024. In a statement, he said he lived in constant fear that RSF forces might find a copy of Al-Midan newspaper, a publication he used to write for and through which he had criticized the RSF before the war began. Similarly, Siddig Dallai was detained in May 2024 by military intelligence cells in Damazin, Blue Nile State. He was reportedly blindfolded and transported in a truck while on his way to handle an administrative task.
Among those detained were independent journalists and employees from Sudan’s national broadcaster, Al Jazeera, Al Ghad TV (Egypt), and Tayyar (Lebanon). One of the longest detentions was suffered by Ali Tareq Al-Arsh, a reporter for the daily Al-Jareeda, who spent ten months in prison after publishing an article about abuses faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs). Meanwhile, independent journalist Alaa Eddin Abu Harba was kidnapped and detained for eight days by an armed group believed to be affiliated with the RSF. He was released only after his relatives paid a ransom.
As of this writing, two journalists remain behind bars:
Hassan Hamid, a journalist for the Arabic edition of The Independent, was arrested by government forces on October 9, 2023, while covering a story in Port Sudan, the stronghold of the national army on the Red Sea.
Mamoun Hassan Humeid, a media assistant, was detained by RSF in January 2024 and has since been held in an undisclosed location.
Journalists Suffer Injuries, Threats, Surveillance, and Online Bullying
At least four media workers were injured or specifically targeted due to their professional activities. Victims include:
Photographer Mohamed Nour El-Din
Waleed Shahlabi, a reporter for Sudan’s national broadcaster
Writer Ismat Ibrahim
Independent journalist Aisha Al-Samani
In August 2023, Al-Taghyeer journalist Fath Al-Rahman Hamouda was threatened with death when SAF soldiers pointed their weapons at him at close range in the city of El-Obeid.
Journalist Fatima Ali Saeed of Al-Wifaq newspaper, known for its Islamist leanings, told Reporters Without Borders (RSF) that she had been physically assaulted and sexually harassed by RSF personnel, stating that the violations she suffered were directly related to her work.
RSF also documented that around 15 media professionals were subjected to online harassment campaigns, while several foreign correspondents confirmed they were under constant surveillance while reporting inside Sudan.
Total Information Blackout in El Fasher, North Darfur
North Darfur is among the most dangerous regions for journalists, with both SAF and RSF committing atrocities against civilians.
Mohamed Shoaib, a reporter for the local Facebook-based network Sultan News, stated:
“This war has forced the best journalists in El Fasher to flee for security and economic reasons.”
Shoaib himself fled the North Darfur capital in September 2024, relocating to the nearby Zamzam displacement camp, which is ravaged by famine. Despite ongoing RSF incursions and violent raids, Shoaib continues his reporting. In one such raid, RSF surrounded the area — the last remaining SAF stronghold in the region.
Testimonies collected by RSF indicate that journalists in North Darfur are subjected to constant monitoring, surveillance, threats to their sources, and frequent internet blackouts. Of the eight Arab TV channels that employ reporters inside Sudan — Cairo News, Al Araby, Al Ghad, Al Hurra, Al Ekhbariya, Al Jazeera, Al Sharq, and Al Hadath — only Al Hadath (a Saudi channel) has a correspondent in Darfur. Other correspondents are based in Port Sudan or Khartoum.
Still, Shoaib remains determined not to leave North Darfur. He told RSF:
“It is our professional and moral duty to stay in El Fasher to inform the world about what’s happening and to give a voice to the trapped victims. That is the essence of journalism.”
RSF has contacted both the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces for comment. As of the time of writing, neither has responded.
