Sudanese Journalist Detained and Banned from Travel Amid Growing Press Repression

April 24, 2025 – Sudan – 

Sudanese journalist Emtithal Abdel Fadil has been detained for three days and banned from traveling following her coverage of protests and sensitive political issues in Sudan. Fadil, a prominent reporter known for her investigative work, was arrested on April 22, 2025, by Sudanese authorities, who accused her of spreading false information and inciting unrest. Her detention highlights the increasingly hostile environment for journalists in Sudan, where press freedom has been severely curtailed in recent years.

Fadil’s arrest and the travel ban come amidst a broader clampdown on independent media in Sudan, which has seen multiple journalists targeted for their reporting on government abuses, human rights violations, and the ongoing political instability following the 2021 military coup. Despite international calls for her release, Fadil’s case is part of a troubling pattern in which journalists are detained without charges, intimidated, and silenced for their reporting.

Human rights organizations and civil society groups have expressed their outrage over the crackdown, with several bodies rallying for greater accountability and the protection of journalists. The International Federation of Journalists (IFEX) has called on Sudanese authorities to immediately release Fadil and allow her to resume her journalistic work without fear of reprisal. The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of press repression in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where many countries continue to imprison, exile, or silence journalists critical of the government.

Fadil’s detention is a reminder of the dangerous conditions that journalists often face in politically unstable regions. While Sudan has seen some progress in its transition to democracy, the situation remains precarious, with journalists on the frontlines facing growing risks for merely doing their jobs. Advocates for press freedom are calling on the international community to hold Sudan accountable and demand the release of journalists like Fadil, who are essential to upholding truth and transparency in times of political upheaval.

Reference – 

https://allafrica.com/stories/202504250014.html

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Sudanese journalist Emtithal Abdel Fadil detained for 3 days, banned from travel