US criticises Sudanese suspension of newspaper

KHARTOUM, Nov 19 (AFP) — The United States has criticised as surprising and disappointing a recent suspension of an independent Khartoum newspaper, the US embassy here said Wednesday.

Sudanese authorities on Monday suspended publication of the independent daily Al-Ayam while they investigate charges it has threatened national security.

“The United States embassy in Khartoum expresses surprise and disappointment over the confiscation of papers and suspension of Al Ayam,” the embassy said in a press release faxed to AFP.

Regarding the freedom of the press and expression as a fundamental human right, the embassy said this action against Al Ayam was contrary to a recent declaration by Khartoum lifting security censorship on newspapers.

It urged the Sudanese government to allow Al Ayam to resume publication, hoping press censorship “truly and finally becomes a matter of Sudan’s past.”

The Sudan Media Centre (SMC), which is close to the government, said in a report published by the independent Al-Rai Al-Aam daily that the prosecutor for anti-state crimes Sunday issued a decision suspending Al-Ayam from Monday until an investigation is completed.

The SMC said the National Security Organ wrote to the prosecutor demanding the filing of a lawsuit against the newspaper for “adopting a line that adversely impairs the country’s security, stability and religious and social cohesion.”