Reuters’ Abdelaziz, AFP’s Idris Ali, Others Regain Freedom

Abdelmoneim Abu Idris Ali, a 51-year-old who has worked for Agence France-Presse in Sudan for nearly a decade, is shown in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, Jan. 3, 2016. The AFP reporter, as well as a Reuters journalist, were released Jan. 22, 2018, after being arrested last week while covering protests in Khartoum. Credit/VoA

Reuters’ Abdelaziz, AFP’s Idris Ali, Others Regain Freedom

Khalid Abdelaziz, Reuters reporter in Sudan has regained his freedom alongside Agence France-Presse (AFP) reporter, Abdelmoneim Abu Idris Ali and other local reporters six days after they were arrested while covering protests in Khartoum on Wednesday last week.

Reuters regained contact with  reporter, Khalid Abdelaziz, on Monday evening for the first time since before his arrest. He said he had not been mistreated, and was released alongside the AFP reporter and another local journalist.

No charges were filed against the reporters, who were detained in Khartoum’s Kobar prison.

“We are extremely relieved that Reuters reporter Khalid Abdelaziz has been released from detention in Khartoum,” a Reuters spokesperson said. “He has been reunited with his family and will return to the important work of reporting on events in Sudan in due course.”

AFP published a news story confirming the release of its reporter, Abdelmoneim Abu Idris Ali, a 51-year-old who has worked for AFP in Khartoum for nearly a decade

The journalists were detained while covering protests and clashes with security forces which broke out across Sudan early this month after Khartoum imposed tough economic measures in line with recommendations by the International Monetary Fund. 

By arresting and intimidating journalists, confiscating newspapers and attempting to censor news dissemination, the Sudanese authorities keep trying to get journalists to stick to the official narrative or pay the price.

“We do not know the circumstances of the detention and are actively seeking additional information about the situation,” a Reuters spokesperson said.

“AFP management strongly condemns the arrest of Mr. Idris Ali and asks Sudanese authorities for his immediate release,” the agency said.

Protests and clashes with security forces broke out across Sudan early this month after Khartoum imposed tough economic measures in line with recommendations by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

At least seven local reporters have also been detained according to the Sudanese Journalists Network.

Reporters Magdi al-Ajib of the local privately owned newspaper al-Watan, Rishan Oushi of the local privately owned newspaper Mijhar al-Siyasi, Imtenan Al-Radi of the local privately owned newspaper al-Youm al-Tali, and freelance journalist Amal Habani were arrested on January 16.

Shawky Abdelazim, al-Youm al-Tali editor, Khalid Abdelaziz, Reuters’ Sudan correspondent, and Abdelmunim Abudris, AFP’s correspondent were also arrested and remain in custody.

The Committee for Protection of Journalists condemned the arrests and the crackdown that the Sudanese government has targeted at the media since the advent of the protests.

“By arresting and intimidating journalists, confiscating newspapers and attempting to censor news dissemination, the Sudanese authorities keep trying to get journalists to stick to the official narrative or pay the price,” CPJ Middle East and North Africa program coordinator Sherif Mansour said. “We call on the authorities to release the seven journalists immediately and allow the press to do its job.”

Over the years, critics have accused President Omar al-Bashir’s regime of cracking down on the media in Sudan, with watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranking the country 174th out of 180 countries in its 2017 World Press Freedom Index.