Sudanese Women Journalists Face Systematic Targeting Amid Ongoing War
Press Freedom Under Attack as Conflict Enters Third Year
Khartoum, May 3, 2025 – Sudanese women journalists continue to pay a heavy price as the conflict between the national army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) enters its third year. According to reports from the Sudan Media Forum, media workers face regular threats, arrests, and violence while press freedom has all but disappeared amid interference from both warring factions.
Alarming Statistics of Violence Against Journalists
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate reports disturbing figures since the war began in April 2023:
- 5 women journalists assassinated
- 11 shot at or injured by gunfire
- 12 arbitrarily arrested without legal basis
- 4 documented cases of physical assault
The most recent case involved journalist Imtithal Abd Al-Fadil, who was detained for three days in Kassala state and prevented from traveling abroad – a clear violation of constitutional press freedoms.
Deteriorating Conditions for Media Professionals
Iman Fadl Al-Sayed, Freedoms Secretary at the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, describes a rapidly worsening situation:
“The war has led to institutional shutdowns, direct targeting of journalists, and severely weakened war coverage. About 1,000 journalists have stopped working, with hundreds fleeing to neighboring countries.”
She notes that media outlets have become increasingly polarized, with warring parties controlling information flow and suppressing neutral reporting. The lack of trained war correspondents has created an information vacuum, while social media platforms fall prey to competing interests.
Calls for Protection and Accountability
Journalist Samar Suleiman emphasizes the need for urgent action:
“We need effective protection mechanisms, application of international law, and accountability for perpetrators. Women journalists specifically require psychosocial support and safety training to continue their work.”
The report highlights how restrictions on movement and increasing polarization have made objective reporting nearly impossible, with both sides targeting female journalists specifically to control narratives.
International Response Needed
Experts call for coordinated efforts from:
- The international community
- Civil society organizations
- Conflict parties
Key demands include implementing Geneva Convention protections, investigating violations, and ending impunity for attacks on press freedom.
This report was published by Sudan Media Forum member organizations to mark World Press Freedom Day and highlight the crisis facing Sudanese journalists.