Rapid Support Forces Arrest a Journalist, while the Army Seizes Identification Documents and Phones of Another Journalist

Moatinoon
The Sudanese Journalists Union announced today, Thursday, that the Rapid Support Forces have arrested journalist Nader Shalakawi on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in the Al-Jumaiyah area in Omdurman before detaining him in a camp affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces in the Salehah area, west of Omdurman.

The union stated in a statement obtained by Moatinoon website that Shalakawis arrest came as part of the escalating fierce campaign against journalists, media institutions, and the media in Sudan since the April 15th war. The union condemned the arrest and demanded his immediate release without any conditions.

A day before Shalakawis arrest, the Military Intelligence of the Second Infantry Division of the Army in El-Gedaref city had detained the identification documents and phones of its council member, Shouqi Abdelazim, after a brief and unjustified arrest without any clear legal justification.

Quoting Shouqi, it was reported that he is still suspended without having his identification documents returned to him under these circumstances. He is unable to move or travel anywhere, contact his family, or perform his work.

The statement added, Since the outbreak of the war in Sudan on April 15th, we have witnessed numerous violations and various levels of attacks against journalists, media institutions, perpetrated by the conflicting parties (Armed Forces) and (Rapid Support Forces). This constitutes a violation of freedoms and the rights of journalists, a blatant infringement on press freedom, and a clear violation of international and regional laws and conventions that protect the media.

The union called on the warring parties to keep their hands off journalists and not to target media institutions. The union holds both parties fully responsible for the safety of journalists and their institutions