LONDON: Human rights and media organizations are calling for the protection of journalists amid a near-total communications blackout in El-Fasher following the city’s fall to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
A limited and scattered stream of reports have emerged of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the North Darfur capital city, with the Sudanese government accusing the RSF of killing over 2,000 civilians during the past weekend.
The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that as many as 11 journalists have gone missing in El-Fasher, including freelance reporter Muhammad Ibrahim. Ibrahim appeared in a video circulated by the RSF on Sunday, showing him being captured while trying to leave the city.
In a statement on Thursday, the CPJ confirmed it had verified the whereabouts of three of the missing, all of whom have fled the city. The remaining journalists remain incommunicado amid ongoing hostilities and the blackout that severely limits external communication.
“The RSF’s claims that it is solely targeting ‘terrorists’ and not civilians replicate a familiar play-book — first denial of civilian harm, then shifting of blame, and then active suppression of journalists attempting to document the truth,” said Sara Qudah, CPJ regional director.
