El Fasher, June 19(Darfur 24)Intelligence forces affiliated with the Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Minni Arko Minawi, arrested journalist Ahmed Jamam, a Sudan TV correspondent, in the city of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, at the beginning of this June, amid great secrecy from the army and the joint force.
A source attached to the joint force of the armed movements in the city of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, who preferred to withhold his name, revealed to “Darfur 24” that journalist and Sudan TV correspondent Ahmed Jamam was previously placed under house arrest at the UNAMID mission’s headquarters on charges of communicating with hostile parties. The source said that the information they had available indicated that Jamam was staying in The city of El Fasher before the war, as a correspondent for Sudan TV, despite the presence of a reporter there, which cast doubt on the leadership of the joint force and led to his arrest from the city center, refusing to provide further information.
Ahmed Jamam arrived in El Fasher in February 2023, accompanied by the former governor of North Darfur, Nimr Muhammad Abdel-Rahman, and he continued to work in reporting events for Sudan TV. He did not leave the city after the outbreak of war in April last year, and he resides in the presidential house next to the army command in the center of the city with Nimr Abdel-Rahman and his successor, Ibrahim, according to what was confirmed. He was later dismissed and his replacement was appointed by Al-Hafiz Bakhit Muhammad.
While one of Jamam Fadl’s relatives, whose name has been withheld, told “Darfur 24” that they lost contact with him two weeks ago, and after efforts, the family contacted a member of the armed movements and confirmed his arrest and that he would be released as soon as possible. He added: “His arrest came for his safety after the increase in the pace of clashes inside.” Al-Fasher, which puts his life in danger and takes revenge on some people.”
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate said in a statement, a copy of which was received by Darfur 24, about the arrest of the Minawi movement, Ahmed Jamam, Sudan TV correspondent in the city of El Fasher.
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate strongly condemned the arrest of journalist Ahmed Jamam, and held Minawi’s forces responsible for his security and safety, and demanded his immediate and unconditional release.
The union warned the parties to the armed conflict in Sudan and the forces allied with them of the dangers of continuing to violate the rights of male and female journalists, and using arrest as a means to silence and intimidate them.
She pointed out the presence of dozens of journalists inside the city of El Fasher, living in tragic conditions due to the continuous bombing of civilian areas, and the deteriorating humanitarian situation resulting from the current fighting there.
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate confirmed that the state of freedom of the press, media, and freedom of expression in the country is getting worse day by day.
She said that since April 15 of last year, she had observed an increase in the rate of various violations against male and female journalists, and that more than 40 journalists, including 5 female journalists, had been arrested, detained, and arrested by parties to the armed conflict in Sudan.