The North Darfur capital of El Fasher is experiencing a complete communications and internet blackout, severely hindering access to accurate information about the humanitarian situation and the number of missing persons. This blackout has also enabled the spread of misinformation and the suppression of facts. The Freedom Secretariat of the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate has warned against attempts to silence the press and target journalists, which would prevent the world from following events in Darfur.
Prior to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) taking control of the city, approximately 20 media professionals were operating in El Fasher. However, contact has been lost with seven journalists, whose fate remains unknown. Twelve journalists managed to escape to the Tawila area, while five were arrested by the RSF. Among those arrested were journalist Muammar Ibrahim and photojournalist Ibrahim Jibril Abkar, who appeared in widely circulated videos.
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate has described the experiences of journalists in El Fasher as a blatant violation of their rights under international humanitarian law and press freedom conventions. Fleeing journalists reported an arduous journey, walking for miles amidst hunger, fear, and destitution, with no transportation, closed roads, and no guarantees of protection. The survivors suffered severe exhaustion from thirst, hunger, and lack of sleep, and several journalists’ health deteriorated due to the lack of healthcare in the areas they reached.
The syndicate has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained journalists, disclosure of the fate of the missing, guarantees for their safety, and the provision of a safe environment for media workers in conflict zones. It has also called on international organizations to intervene urgently to protect journalists and hold accountable those who spread disinformation.
The events in El Fasher are part of a wider range of violations against the press since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023. Sudan continues to rank low in the annual Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, at 149th out of 180 countries surveyed in 2024. The war in Sudan has resulted in the killing of at least 32 journalists since 2023, with renewed reports of violations, including the rape of women journalists, and systematic distortion campaigns.
The restriction of internet and mobile phone access, particularly in marginalized areas, has further exacerbated the crisis. The Sudanese people are in dire need of accurate information to protect themselves and their families, but are being left in the dark due to the lack of reliable reporting. The situation highlights the significance of a free and unrestricted media in accessing information, as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.