International Journalists committee warns RSF against media Abuses

Sudan Events-Follow-ups

The Committee to Protect Journalists said it is concerned about reports that the Rapid Support Forces are using state-owned media buildings in Omdurman as illegal detention centers, and calls on all parties in the ongoing war to respect all media institutions.
Shareef Mansour, coordinator of the Committee to Protect Journalists’ Middle East and North Africa program in Washington, said on Tuesday that the Rapid Support Forces’ use of the Sudanese state television headquarters as detention centers is extremely shocking and is a clear indication of the deterioration of press freedom in the country amid a deadly war in the capital. “Rapid Support must immediately stop using media institutions as detention centers and protect these institutions from destruction.” He said.
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, which documents violations against journalists, reported on Thursday, December 7, that the RSF had converted buildings owned by the Sudanese Broadcasting Corporation into detention centers, and that it was selling its broadcast equipment in local markets. The statement also mentioned that the equipment for independent local television channels such as Sudania 24, Al Balad, Blue Nile, and the BBC have all been looted from their offices and sold in local markets.
The Rapid Support Forces have taken control of the state television headquarters since the outbreak of fighting between them and the Sudanese army on April 15, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists at the time. Since then, many journalists in the country have been killed, shot, beaten, harassed and arrested while covering the war.
The Committee to Protect Journalists emailed the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces for an explanation, but did not receive any response.