The BBC reported on Monday that the Sudanese security forces detained three of its reporters in Khartoum. The broadcaster tweeted that “the Sudanese security forces arrested the BBC Arabic team delegated to Khartoum and accredited by the Sudanese Ministry of Information.”
The increasing pressure, violence and prosecution faced by journalists at the hands of security forces represent a major threat to the future of press freedom in the country.
The Sudanese Ministry of Information and Culture withdrew the license of Qatar-based Al Jazeera Live on Saturday, and closed its office in Khartoum. Sudanese journalists condemned the move. The work permit of reporter Mohamed Omar was withdrawn as well, the Arab satellite channel reported from Doha.
Security forces stormed the headquarters of the Al Araby satellite TV channel in Khartoum and detained correspondent Islam Saleh, cameraman Wael El Hasan, and some of their colleagues when they were covering yesterday’s Marches of the Millions in Khartoum.