T_Sudanreconstruction

MiCT aims to sustainably protect the role of journalism in Sudan and to create an informed society that is capable of addressing the violent instability that has unfolded there since the 15th of April, 2023. The country has been shaken by conflict involving the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 15, 2023. Beginning in the northern city of Meroe, the conflict has spread to affect cities and communities across the country, particularly in Khartoum and the Darfur region.

The conflict has resulted in a severe shortage of essentials like food, water, cash, and fuel, and has limited access to basic services for millions, leading to the widespread looting of humanitarian goods. An alarming 4.2 million people have been internally displaced, and the UN estimates that 25 million people urgently need humanitarian aid. This has also resulted in a mass exodus of over 1 million refugees to neighboring countries like Chad, South Sudan, Kenya, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

 “The conflict has devastated the Sudanese media landscape. Misinformation dominates the public sphere. It's high time for Sudanese journalists and media professionals to support this program to help media houses, publishers, and broadcasters in the country get back on their feet, so we can finally have professional, credible reporting again – the kind that our country deserves and that doesn't further divide us.”, says Rashid Saeed Yagoub, Radio Dabanga, member of the Sudanese Journalist Syndicate.

Press freedoms have been particularly vulnerable in Sudan since the October 25th, 2021 coup d’état that saw a regression to strict information control and censorship, with the war’s onset last year intensifying challenges for journalists. They regularly face threats on social media, intimidation, accusations of treason, and harassment, especially when reporting on human rights violations. Physical violence against journalists, including incidents of injury, arrest, torture, and rape, is becoming increasingly prevalent. There is a clear and urgent need to strengthen independent journalism in Sudan to ensure that the public receives accurate information. Journalists need protection to support their efforts to report on the ongoing conflict, yet many media companies have been forced to cease operations, leaving journalists without a platform to inform their readers. This project aims to support journalists through key activities such as protection initiatives for journalists, partnerships with media houses, workshops, personal coaching, and report publication.

“In a united effort to uplift and revitalize Sudanese journalism, Al Adwa and MiCT have come together to meticulously analyze the existing media landscape within Sudan. Our focus is not only on identifying those media outlets that still possess the capacity to produce professional news amidst challenging circumstances but also on recognizing and nurturing emerging voices seeking to initiate new platforms in these turbulent times”. says Mohamed Hilali from Al Adwa

The role of professional local media organizations in Sudan is invaluable, both currently and in the future. The project focuses on supporting Sudanese media houses with their immediate survival to foster their long-term sustainability across the Sudanese media landscape by engaging directly with Sudanese media professionals employed by the media houses still present in the country.

The project is part of the German government's Hannah Arendt Initiative and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

“Our mission is to provide direct support to Sudanese news outlets and journalism associations that stand at the forefront of advocating for the collective interests of media professionals. By championing their rights, ensuring their safety, and fostering their professional growth, we are not just aiding individual journalists but bolstering the entire fabric of Sudanese journalism in these critical times.”, Klaas Glenewinkel, Managing Director of MiCT