SPLM accuses NCP of censorship against the Sudanese press

By Manyang Mayom

April 15, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Deputy Secretary of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Northern Sector, Yasir Arman Saeed has accused the National Congress Party (NCP) of exercising a repressive censorship against the Sudanese press.

At a press conference Tuesday held at the premises of Ajrass al Huriya (The Bells of Freedom) Arabic newspaper upon its suspension, Arman affirmed that the NCP is exercising a repressive censorship on newspapers through the security organs and it is to be considered as a political decision.

The NCP controlled Sudanese security service stopped on Tuesday three independent newspapers from printing: the newly issued Ajrass al-Huriya, al-Ayaam and Ray al-Shaab. Murtada El Ghali, Editor in Chief of Ajrass al-Huriya said the security officials told them to bring copies to the security offices before printing, instead of visiting the newspapers at night — as they used — to take out what they judged as sensitive material.

The transitional constitution adopted following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 putted an end to the censorship exercised by the Security services and guaranteed freedom of the press.

Arman who is also a member of the National Assembly said that NCP needs to create new methods of dealing with people. He also said that the NCP political leadership is investing in cultivating hatred and sedition amongst people. He criticized newspaper owners for having no clear vision on the freedom of press.

Arman announced his stand with the censored newspapers.

A well known Sudanese lawyer, and MP from the opposition Democratic Unionist Party, Ali Mahmoud Hassanein asserted that this censorship is denounced according to the transitional constitution and that he is ready to present a call for the Ajras al Huriya in the court to face this issue.

Ajrass al-Huriya which is owned by some SPLM members, issued its first edition on April 7, while Ray al-Shaab is issued by the Popular Congress Party of Hassan al-Turabi.

Both Ajrass al Huriya and Ray al -Shaab newspapers made statements concerning the matter which said that they will not take there newspapers to the security organ for supervision even if it will lead to suspension

The deputy chief editor for the independent Arabic news paper Al-Ayaam said that this is not the first time security services have been closing down the newspaper in Khartoum, he said that Al-Ayaam daily newspapers which was opened in 1953; closed down in 2004 for three month by the security services.

Observers in Khartoum say this mounting censorship campaign comes to silent the press over the census crisis. The television and the radio are totally controlled by the National Congress Party. The Union of journalists is also under the hands of the northern Sudan ruling party.

(ST)