The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Central Darfur State sector has arrested a photojournalist, Abdulaziz Mahmoud, who is popularly known as Arjaa, who works for Sudan National Television, sources told Radio Tamazuj.
Reports indicate that Mahmoud was taken to one of the RSF sites in Zalingei city, the capital of Central Darfur State, on 30 April.
In response, the Darfur Journalists and Media Association condemned the arrest and demanded his immediate release through a press statement on Monday.
The association described the arrest as unjustified, emphasizing that journalists in Darfur have been among the most affected by the war through targeted killings and or displacement.
Relatedly, a statement from the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate denounced the arrest and said they hold the RSF fully responsible for the safety and security of the detained journalist. The syndicate’s statement called on the RSF to expeditiously release Mahmoud unconditionally.
Meanwhile, an RSF official in the Central Darfur Sector who spoke to Radio Tamazuj on condition of anonymity said that the journalist works within their ranks in the field of electronic media and his arrest is part of internal procedures directed against him due to his desertion from service, possessing work-related materials, and other military service requisites.
“Journalist Abdulaziz is a member of the RSF and deserted during the war. His arrest is part of internal administrative procedures unrelated to his journalistic activities but rather his status as an RSF member,” an RSF source said.
A colleague of the detained journalist who preferred not to be named said that the actions of the RSF are arbitrary, and aimed at intimidating and persecuting journalists.
“Considering the detained journalist’s possession of good working equipment, there are likely attempts by the RSF to coerce him into working with them and this led to his arrest,” Mahmoud’s colleague said.
Since the beginning of the civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF in April 2023, journalists have been killed, injured, harassed, arrested, and displaced.