Journalists in Sudan: Risking Lives to Report War’s Atrocities

Journalists in Sudan brave severe danger to report on the ongoing conflict marked by ethnic violence and mass displacement. A significant communication blackout hampers their efforts, yet some reporters continue to document human rights abuses, risking their lives in the process. At least 28 have lost their lives since April 2023, with numerous others tortured or displaced. Their commitment highlights the ongoing necessity of truthful reporting in perilous circumstances.

In a desperate bid to report on the ongoing conflict in Sudan, journalists are undertaking perilous journeys. They scale mountains near the border hoping to connect with the outside world, all while facing a significant communications blackout that has lasted two years. Their accounts are crucial, as they provide the international community with unsettling reports of sexual violence, ethnic massacres, and mass displacements occurring in regions like Darfur.

Since hostilities erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, the situation has only worsened. At least 28 reporters have reportedly been killed, as per Sudan’s journalist union, with many others suffering severe repercussions including torture, displacement, and an absence of essential services such as electricity and water.

Noon, a freelance journalist identifying herself with a pseudonym for her safety, fled from El-Geneina in West Darfur after she reported on ethnically driven mass killings by the RSF. Her reporting depicted horrifying events that led to accusations of genocide against the RSF, making her a high-profile target. She stated, “They raided my family’s house. They took all my equipment, my cameras, everything.” After multiple raids, she and her family escaped to Gedaref, which is nearly 1,800 kilometers away, but danger still loomed.

While attempting to document the plight of the displaced, Noon was detained by the army under suspicions of collaborating with the RSF. As conditions for reporters worsen, Reporters Without Borders reported that more than 400 journalists have fled the country, with Sudan being designated one of the most dangerous places for journalism in 2023.

Some journalists remain, however, operating in secret and risking everything. In North Darfur’s Tawila, photojournalist Ibrahim, who also chose to conceal his identity, illustrates this commitment. “No one can know what I do,” he stated, reflecting the ever-present danger. He was previously detained by RSF fighters, who brutally tortured him, confiscating his materials. Ibrahim is now relegated to using only his mobile phone for reporting, after relocating his family for safety.

Before the war, Sudan was already perilous for journalists, ranking poorly on the Press Freedom Index. The strife has exacerbated these conditions, driving many journalists into hiding or forcing them out of the country entirely. Veteran reporter Youssef, age 62, is one such individual. Having to cultivate goats and sorghum to subsist, he lamented his situation, saying, “The last salary I received was at the beginning of 2024.” He still attempts to file reports for his newspaper based in Cairo, whenever he secures an internet connection.

Youssef recalled a particularly harrowing encounter with RSF fighters who detained him and remarked, “That is the biggest crime” when he identified himself as a journalist. He was released under a guarantee that he would remain confined to his home until the region was reclaimed in January. Both Youssef and Ibrahim express feelings of betrayal, noting that they have not received any form of aid or protection, neither from local nor international media organizations.

Despite the overwhelming odds against them, reporters like Ibrahim continue their work. They have turned a coffee shop into an improvised newsroom powered by a scant solar panel. “Who else will tell the world what’s happening in Darfur if we leave?” he queried, making it clear that their resolve to uncover the truth remains firm amid chaos and devastation.

It is a testament to their unwavering commitment to journalism that these reporters refuse to abandon the stories that need to be told, even when faced with unimaginable risks.

In conclusion, journalists in Sudan confront life-threatening challenges as they persist in documenting the war’s human cost. Despite witnessing horrific violence, many refuse to abandon their posts, risking everything to ensure that the world’s attention remains on the atrocities occurring. The dire conditions underscore the necessity of supporting these individuals who play a critical role in raising awareness and informing the global community about the situation in Darfur.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr