Sudan’s RSF Under Fire for Kidnapping Journalist Amid Escalating Press Freedom Crisis
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urgently called for the release of Sudanese journalist Adam Issac Minan, who was abducted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 5, 2026, in Kutum, North Darfur. Minan’s disappearance is part of a disturbing pattern of press suppression in Sudan, where journalists face increasing threats and abductions amidst the country’s ongoing conflict.
According to two local journalists who spoke anonymously to CPJ, Minan, a reporter for North Darfur State Radio and Television Corporation and a contributor to outlets like Darfur 24, was detained as part of a broader campaign targeting civilians. His brother was also seized alongside him before both were reportedly transferred to El Fasher. There are growing concerns that Minan may now be held in the notorious Dagreis prison in Nyala, South Darfur, where deteriorating conditions raise alarms for his safety.
The RSF, a paramilitary group engaged in a prolonged war with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 2023, has yet to respond to CPJ’s inquiries about Minan’s whereabouts. This silence underscores the group’s broader impunity in silencing dissent and targeting journalists.
“Adam Issac Minan’s abduction exemplifies the RSF’s relentless assault on press freedom and the alarming climate of impunity in Sudan,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. “The RSF must immediately disclose his location, ensure his safe return, and cease its campaign of intimidation against journalists who are simply doing their jobs.”
The situation in Sudan has deteriorated into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with journalists bearing a heavy toll. Since the conflict erupted, Sudan has become one of the deadliest countries for press freedom, with at least eight journalists still missing as of mid-May 2026. Among them is Muammar Ibrahim, who was kidnapped during the RSF’s capture of El Fasher on October 26, 2025.
Local media organizations and advocacy groups like the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate have repeatedly raised concerns about the targeting of journalists, emphasizing the broader implications for democracy and transparency in the war-torn nation. Minan’s case highlights the dire risks faced by reporters attempting to cover the conflict and its devastating impact on civilians.
The abduction of Minan and others underscores the urgent need for international pressure on Sudan’s warring factions to respect press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists. As the conflict continues to destabilize the region, the role of the media in exposing human rights abuses and informing the public becomes ever more critical—and ever more perilous.
— Reported by Nexio News
