US Embassy criticizes Sudanese government for suspension of two newspapers
KHARTOUM, Sudan, Dec 17, 2003 (AP) — The U.S. Embassy criticized the government Wednesday for its suspension of two newspapers, and indicated the ban will be taken into account when Washington reviews its relations with Sudan.
The government suspended the license of the Khartoum Monitor on Nov. 24 and that of the Arabic newspaper Al-Ayam on Nov. 17. Both are independent, daily papers.
“The U.S. Embassy wishes to express its concern over the continued closure of the Khartoum Monitor and Al-Ayam. The government’s action against the newspapers — convicted of no wrongdoing and charged under dubious circumstances — inflicts grave financial losses on the newspapers and puts in question the commitment of the government to press freedom,” the embassy said in a statement.
On Sunday, reporters of the two papers staged a sit-in to protest the suspension.
“The U.S. Embassy also wishes to reiterate that Sudan’s human rights performance will be a chief factor — along with the peace process — in determining the pace of the hoped-for improvement in our bilateral relations,” the statement said.
The United States has said it will review relations with Sudan once the government and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army have signed a final peace accord. The two sides are currently negotiating in Kenya an agreement to end the 20-year civil war.
Washington imposed a raft of sanctions and restrictions on Sudan during the 1990s, accusing it of supporting terrorists and human rights violations. Relations have improved in the past two years, but Sudan remains on the U.S. State Department list on terrorist-sponsoring nations.
The Khartoum Monitor, the only English language daily, is known for criticism of conditions in southern Sudan, where the civil war has been waged. The suspension order said the paper was ”a threat to society” and stability.
The government accused Al-Ayam of publishing articles that threaten national security.
Sudan has a history of suspending newspapers and detaining journalists. In August, President Omar el-Bashir declared state censorship of newspapers would be lifted. But press restrictions have remained in place.