Sudan
Over a year into the eruption of the conflict in Sudan, the impact is incomprehensible. With over 11 million internally displaced and 25 million in need of humanitarian aid, it is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Yet the events in Sudan are gravely under reported. Currently, the country ranks 149 out of 180 on the RSF Press Freedom Index.
The fact that the crisis in Sudan is under reported has multiple reasons, but a significant one is the harsh circumstances for journalists within the country. Approximately more than 300 independent journalists left Sudan for fear of repression and retaliation since the outbreak of violence. 1000 journalists lost their job. However, there are still many brave journalists who continue to report from within communities and cities under siege on both sides of the conflict.
Violence against journalists
Our partner The Journalism Syndicate reports 393 cases of direct violence against media and journalists inside Sudan between April 2023 and April 2024. Since the beginning of this year we have also seen targeted killings of journalists. Like Halima Idriss, who was overrun by a Rapid Support Forces vehicle while reporting. Ahmed Arabi from Blue Nile TV was apprehended in his house by uniformed men, after which he was shot dead and handed back to his family. Posters were put up in streets in Karri Neighborhood of Omdurman threatening to kill two journalists.
28 journalists got wounded through gun-shots, 39 journalists were arrested, of which three are still detained. A woman journalist was chased down to her home in Eddain threatening her family with sexual assault for publishing video’s about Darfur.
Our work in Sudan
For more than a decade, Free Press Unlimited has hosted and supported Dabanga. Dabanga is one of the few independent news and information broadcasters in Sudan, providing lifesaving news and information to citizens. Dabanga's programming is aimed at informing people about democracy, providing space for informed debate and holding those in power accountable. Dabanga produces daily news and talk shows on politics, human rights, health, gender, youth, transitional justice and civil society. Since 2021, Radio Dabanga has become fully independent.
Since the re-emergence of conflict, Free Press Unlimited has supported 52 journalists with emergency aid like relocation. And there are initiatives that bring hope, like the Sudan Media Forum that brings together 29 independent media organisations to join forces against disinformation. Free Press Unlimited supports these initiatives.
