Alrakoba website reported that security authorities on 25 December 2018 detained a number of journalists while covering protests and demonstrations calling for the overthrow of the government. According to the website, “security authorities detained several journalists and correspondents of Satellite Channels and news agencies among them the correspondent of Al Jazeera Channel Mr. Ahmed Al Rahad, director of news section at Al Sudani newspaper Mr. Yassir Abdalla who was hit with a rifle butt. The managing editor of Al Tayar newspaper Mr. Khalid Fathi also sustained a bullet injury.

On 25 December, downtown Khartoum witnessed sporadic protests after the Sudanese Professional Association called for a peaceful march to hand over a petition to the Republican Palace. Police and security forces have cordoned off ‘Abu Jinzeer Square” where protesters plan to gather and peacefully march to the Republican Palace to hand over the memorandum.

Protests against the central government continue in several major Sudanese cities and security authorities also continue to prevent distribution of newspapers and prohibit correspondents from covering events accompanying the demonstrations, like what happened in January 2018 when the budget came into force.

The press, journalists and bloggers in Sudan enjoy the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed in Sudan’s Interim Constitution 2005.

Source: Alrakoba