“By detaining journalists covering the historic events taking place in Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces are showing their desperation to control the media narrative and prevent news from reaching people in the country and abroad,” said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour. “The RSF must immediately release journalist Nader Shulkawi, and all parties to the conflict must ensure that journalists can work without fear of being detained.”
At least 700 civilians have been killed since fighting started in April between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, in part due to tensions over the Sudanese army’s attempted integration of the RSF. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and many journalists covering the fighting have been arrested, assaulted, shot, beaten, and robbed.
In clips of Shulkawi’s reporting uploaded to YouTube before the conflict broke out, the journalist can be seen covering topics including a governor’s visit to public service facilities and Sudan’s celebration of World Tourism Day.
CPJ emailed the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF for comment but did not receive any replies.
