The Sudanese Journalists Network on Monday condemned the cutting off of communication and Internet services and termed it a grave violation committed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to the Network, the action isolated the Sudanese people from the outside world in light of the digital age, threatening the lives of defenseless civilians and doubling their suffering.
The statement that Radio Tamazuj obtained, said cutting off communication services is a crime punishable by international law as it represents a serious threat to people’s lives by affecting their livelihoods by stopping the movement of financial transfers on which many families depend.
“This crime represents a blatant violation of civil liberties, freedom of communication and access to information, and the suppression and confiscation of freedom of expression. It aims to isolate the Sudanese people from the outside world. It is not new to this militia and, certainly, it will not be the last, and it is not far off that it will become a law in the hands of the militia,” the scathing statement read in part. “It is meant to punish the defenseless Sudanese people and it is not strange for those who practice murder, rape, and plunder, and seize the property and savings of citizens by force of arms, to cut off communication services for citizens with the push of a button.”
“The crime of cutting off communication and Internet services falls within a series of brutal crimes that have been and are still being committed by the RSF,” it added.
According to the Network, cutting off communication and supply of electricity aids the commission of more crimes and threatens the lives of civilians.
“Now, unfortunately, battles are taking place near the radio and television building in Omdurman and the RSF are using historic buildings as secret prisons and detention centers for military and civilian prisoners, and using them as hostages and human shields during mutual bombing which puts their lives in danger,” the Network charged. “This undermines the memory of the nation and the history and heritage of the Sudanese people which extends for nearly an entire century.” It was the first party to be subjected to systematic destruction by the Islamic Front and its defunct regime, and today what is happening is a continuation and extension of its destructive project.”
The Network however said that that much as they blame the RSF, they also hold the military junta that orchestrated a coup fully responsible for misusing power and empowering the militia (RSF) with all the state’s power and wealth and allowing it to mobilize and arm.
“The goal and conspiracy at the time was only to undermine the Sudanese revolution. And suppressing the revolutionaries, to escape the rights of the revolution and its project of establishing a state of law and good governance, promoting accountability and transparency, and avoiding impunity,” the statement added. “Each party still dominates the country’s wealth, and the country’s wealth is still vulnerable to plunder and theft from external parties and with the complicity of both parties.”
The Journalists Network underscored that the war will only make the Sudanese people stronger, more cohesive, and united in the face of war criminals.
“Our firm position in the Sudanese Journalists Network, calling for an end to the war, continues, and we call on the masses of Sudanese abroad to continue their struggles by demonstrating, conveying the voice of citizens at home, and creating global solidarity with peace-loving peoples,” the statement concluded.