The Rapid Support Forces militia assassinated journalist Taj Al-Sir Mohamed Suleiman, director of the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) office, in his home in the Al-Daraja neighbourhood of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, killing him along with his brother. The Sudanese Journalists’ Syndicate condemned the killing of the SUNA bureau chief, describing it as part of a recurring pattern of serious violations targeting civilians and journalists in Darfur and other regions of Sudan.
In a statement, the Syndicate expressed deep concern about the fate of its member, journalist Muammar Ibrahim, who remains detained by the Rapid Support Forces in the city of Nyala, and held the RSF fully responsible for his physical safety and his life. The Syndicate called for an urgent international investigation into the killing of colleague Taj Al-Sir Suleiman and his brother, for all those responsible to be brought to justice, and for an end to impunity.
It also urged the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Muammar Ibrahim and all journalists arbitrarily detained, and called for effective international measures to protect journalists and ensure their safety while carrying out their work in Sudan. Earlier this month, the Committee to Protect Journalists revealed that the whereabouts of 11 journalists in El Fasher are unknown following the RSF takeover of the city, voicing grave concern over the situation in which journalists, media workers and other civilians face an unprecedented campaign of violence and impunity.
The committee has previously documented widespread attacks carried out by the RSF in El Fasher and across Sudan, including killings, arrests and sexual violence. It warned that the world can no longer afford to wait before taking action to defend the public’s right to information and to protect journalists in El Fasher, stressing that the abduction of journalists, the public killing of civilians and the imposition of an information blackout all constitute direct assaults on press freedom and human dignity.
Since the war between the RSF militia and the Sudanese Armed Forces broke out on 15 April 2023, Rapid Support Forces have killed at least 15 journalists, and have arrested, raped and forcibly disappeared dozens more, according to research conducted by the committee.
Source: Al Jazeera / Al Yurae.
