Sudan journalists union says armed group kidnaps reporter, demands ransom

August 25, 2024 (KHARTOUM) – An armed group has kidnapped a journalist in an area of Sudan’s capital controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and is demanding a ransom for his release, the Sudanese journalists’ union said on Sunday.

The union said Alaa El-Din Abu Harba was taken from his home in east Khartoum on Friday.

It said the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of 1 million Sudanese pounds ($365) and after receiving it were now demanding a further billion pounds.

“This puts the life of Abu Harba in grave danger,” the union said in a statement, holding the RSF responsible for his safety.

The RSF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

There has been widespread lawlessness in the capital since war broke out in Sudan in April between the army and the RSF.

The journalists’ union has recorded 438 violations against journalists since the conflict began, including four killings.

Earlier this month, another journalist in east Khartoum, Abdel Rahman Hanin, had his home raided by an armed group who looted valuables and cash, the union said.

The men terrorized Hanin’s wife and children and stole laptops, mobile phones, cash and gold jewellery, it added.

On August 12, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemedti,” announced the formation of a special force tasked with protecting civilians. This announcement comes in response to mounting civilian complaints of abuses, including attacks on homes, rape, and theft, occurring in areas under RSF control.