Khartoum, 9 October 2025 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the killing of Sudanese journalist Alnor Suleiman Alnor, who died following a drone strike on his home in El Fasher, North Darfur. The press freedom group is urging Sudanese authorities to investigate whether the attack was a deliberate attempt to silence his reporting.
A Voice Silenced
Alnor, a respected editor and presenter at El Fasher Radio and former Media Director for the North Darfur Governor’s Office, was critically injured on Friday and died the following day at the city’s only operational hospital. His death comes amid escalating violence in El Fasher, which remains under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
An anonymous journalist told CPJ that Alnor was “one of El Fasher’s most prominent media voices,” and alleged that the RSF “deliberately targeted” his residence. Mohammed Ahmed, a colleague, described the impossibility of attending Alnor’s funeral due to “drones hovering overhead” and “relentless” bombardment.
Mounting Dangers for Journalists
CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah called for accountability:
“Sudanese authorities must swiftly investigate whether Alnor was targeted for his reporting and hold those responsible to account. Both warring parties must immediately stop attacking journalists and other civilians.”
According to the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate (SJS), 32 journalists have been killed since the civil war began in 2023. CPJ data confirms that seven journalists have died in 2025, with motives verified in five cases.
In January, the RSF accused journalists of “mercenary activity,” a claim widely condemned by the SJS as a direct threat to press freedom. Reporters Without Borders reports a sharp rise in attacks on journalists, citing legislative changes that have expanded the powers of Sudan’s General Intelligence Service and reduced accountability.
Legal Protections Undermined
Journalists are protected under Article 79 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions (Additional Protocol I). However, rights groups warn that Sudan’s civil war has eroded these safeguards, leaving media workers increasingly vulnerable to surveillance, violence, and impunity.
Outlook
Alnor’s death underscores the peril faced by journalists covering Sudan’s conflict. As international watchdogs call for investigations and protections, press advocates warn that without urgent action, the ability to report from Sudan’s war zones may vanish entirely.
Sources: Committee to Protect Journalists; Sudanese Journalists Syndicate; Reporters Without Borders; JURIST.
Excerpts from jurist.org article by Samara Baboolal | JURIST Staff, GB
