Journalists Should Not Be Targeted

Starting from the beginning of 2025, at least six journalists and media professionals have lost their lives due to their work in Sudan, as r...

Starting from the beginning of 2025, at least six journalists and media professionals have lost their lives due to their work in Sudan, as reported by IFJ statistics. The RSF paramilitary organization has been implicated in all these incidents, either through broad-scale shelling or specific attacks.

At least 13 journalists and media professionals have died in Sudan since the civil conflict began in 2023: one in 2023, six in 2024, and six more in 2025 up to now.

These murders signify the most severe form of violence directed at journalists, as well as the surface of a larger pattern of ongoing attacks and mistreatment that Sudanese media workers endure. "These are no longer isolated cases, but have evolved into a coordinated effort to suppress the press," says Salah Omer Alsheikh, Secretary General of the Sudanese Journalists' Union. "Sudanese reporters encounter direct threats of death, unlawful detentions, psychological and physical abuse, and intentional targeting of their professional activities," he further states.

Conflict escalates following the collapse of El Fasher

The capture of El Fasher, North Darfur, on 26 October, following an 18-month siege by the RSF, marked a new phase in the increasing violence and crimes that are currently causing severe harm throughout the country. UN specialists have documented extensive abuses, illegal killings, and sexual violence carried out by the RSF. This surge in violence is also targeting journalists and any civilians who shared information with them during the siege, as reported by AFP's experienced Sudan correspondent.

Muammar Ibrahim, a local independent journalist from El Fasher, has become another recent victim of RSF's actions against media workers. On 26 October, Ibrahim appeared in a video shared on social media, where he was seen with RSF soldiers and stated that he had been arrested while trying to leave the city. He was taken into custody after the paramilitary group announced they had captured El Fasher. Later, he appeared in another video alongside the RSF's spokesperson, who admitted that the journalist was being held because he referred to the RSF as a "militia" in his reports. The IFJ once again urges for the immediate and unconditional release of Ibrahim and all journalists who are illegally detained in the country.

Over 150,000 individuals have lost their lives, and 14 million people have been forced to leave their residences since the civil war began in Sudan in April 2023. Li Fung, the UN Human Rights Representative in Sudan, stated that the conflict has led to "one of the most significant humanitarian crises globally."

Anthony Bellanger, Secretary General of the IFJ, stated: "RSF has been responsible for the deaths of journalists since the civil war began in 2023, and it must be held responsible for its heinous acts. We condemn the international community's inaction, which has resulted in an inability to safeguard journalists in Sudan. We emphasize once again that intentionally attacking journalists constitutes a war crime. Journalists, who hold the same status as civilians, deserve protection at all times, even during armed conflicts, as outlined by international humanitarian law."

The IFJ urges the global community, especially the United Nations, to guarantee that a neutral inquiry is carried out regarding the murder of journalists and media professionals in Sudan and that those responsible for these terrible offenses are held accountable.

Copyright 2025 International Federation of Journalists. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (okay1)

Tagged: Sudan, Human Rights, Africa, Press and Media, East Africa

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