The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) today mourn two journalists and two cameramen killed in a plane accident that made 32 victims in Sudan.
“This is very sad news of 32 dead including our four Sudanese journalists’ colleagues killed in the plane accident in South Kurdofan. We are deeply devastated by their death. We send our condolences to their families. We also call on authorities in Sudan to investigate the causes and circumstances of the accident,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director IFJ Africa Office.
According to Sudanese Journalists Union, an IFJ and FAJ affiliate, two journalists and two cameramen were killed in the plane explosion accident in South Kurdofan – TalodiCounty, on Sunday 19 August. The journalists are Abdal Alhay Rabie – Sudan TV Correspondent, Ismael Kareem Sudan TV Cameraman, Bashir Fadl KTV Correspondent and Abd Al-Ati KTV Cameraman.
The journalists were on assignment to cover the trip of 22 leaders from the Government and the Opposition and political powers in a peace initiative to participate in Eid Festival with local people.
“It is always sad to learn that a journalist is killed in the course of duty. We send our condolences to their respective families and call on authorities to investigate the causes of the accident,” said Omar Faruk Osman, President of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ).
On a more positive note, Sudanese authorities have released three journalists arrested last month over accusations related to "anti-austerity demonstrations". They were among 80 political detainees that have been released before the end of Ramadan.
“We back this step but renew our demand to lift the ban imposed on some writers and columnists and to release suspended newspapers Altayar and Raialshab,” said Dr. Muheldin Tettawi Idriss, President of the Sudanese Journalists Union.
For more information contact the IFJ: 221 33 867 95 86/87
The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries