Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) has suspended Al-Akhbar daily newspaper until further notice.
Managing editor Sadiq Abdullah said in a press statement that the newspaper had been suspended over an opinion piece written by Abel-Wahab Al Afendi that was initially published by the London-based Asharq Al Awsat newspaper.
The author reportedly criticised the newly reshuffled government by President Bashir, describing it as a “new coup d’état.”
The editor said the newspaper’s print run was confiscated by the security agents just after printing. He pointed out that the security agents informed them verbally about the suspension of the newspaper over the last five days.
Sudanese journalists recently demonstrated to protest a media crackdown t hat has included the confiscation of print runs of nine newspapers and suspension of publishing licences of four of them.
Related:
Sudanese journalists on strike today over press restrictions (27 May)