Two journalists arrested over report on SPLM-IO meeting in Khartoum

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Two journalists arrested over report on SPLM-IO meeting in Khartoum
KHARTOUM (20 Sep.)
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Two Sudanese journalists from a privately owned newspaper were briefly
arrested by security agents for publishing a report about meetings of
South Sudan’s armed opposition group led by ousted vice president Riek
Machar in Khartoum these days.

Multiple sources told Radio Tamazuj that Tariq Abdallah and Murtada
Ahmed were arrested and picked up by the security officers from the
office of Al-Ahram Al-Youm newspaper and taken to security
headquarters in Khartoum North.

Reportedly, the two journalists were investigated before being
released on the same day during late-night hours.

For its part, Sudan Journalist’s Network condemned the move, saying
the arrest of the two journalists is part of a government policy to
crackdown on freedom of the press.

But the Sudanese government denied any meeting held by the SPLM-IO
faction in Khartoum, saying South Sudan insurgencies are not allowed
to conduct political activities in its territory.

The SPLM-IO confirms Khartoum meeting

Separately, a senior SPLM-IO official who preferred anonymity told
Radio Tamazuj that meetings of the SPLM-IO Political Bureau kicked off
in Khartoum city on Monday, saying the Sudanese government placed
restrictions on media coverage.

Several opposition figures told Radio Tamazuj in a previous interview
that senior members of the armed opposition faction will meet in
Khartoum to discuss the ongoing political developments in South Sudan.