Journalists Syndicate: 7 Journalists Went Missing in Darfur
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate announced on Wednesday that it had lost contact with at least seven journalists following the militia Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State.
On October 26, the RSF attacked and had control of El Fasher after more than a year of fierce fighting against the Sudanese Armed Forces and its allies. However, shortly after declaring complete control of the area, its forces committed widespread human rights violations against civilians and the caused a forced displacement for thousands to the town of Tawila and other areas.
According to a preliminary report issued by the syndicate regarding the situation of journalists there, “contact has been completely lost with approximately seven journalists, including two female journalists, and their whereabouts remain unknown.”
The report indicated that around 20 journalists were inside the city and in Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons before the recent clashes erupted, and that 12 journalists managed to escape and reached the town of Tawila. It indicated five journalists remain detained and forcibly disappeared by militia members, including journalist Muammar Ibrahim, who was arrested after the forces seized control of the city. The other four were arrested at earlier times.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) abducted journalist Muammar Ibrahim, a freelance correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher, as he attempted to leave the city. The forces then announced his transfer to Nyala and his interrogation on charges of defamation and bias in his coverage of the developments in El Fasher.
The syndicate has called for ensuring the safety of the journalists and for the immediate release of those detained, emphasizing that targeting journalists constitutes a blatant violation of press freedom and human rights.
According to testimonies from surviving journalists, most suffered from extreme exhaustion, hunger, thirst, and lack of sleep. The health of several of them deteriorated due to lack of medical care in the areas they reached, particularly in Tawila locality.
The union confirmed that the complete disruption of communications and internet networks in El Fasher, along with the confiscation of phones and communication devices by the forces, makes it difficult to obtain accurate information about the humanitarian situation and the number of dead, wounded, and detainees.
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