The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has documented the arrest of Sudanese journalist Al‑Rayeh Essam on Sunday, 2 August 2026, by a security force affiliated with the Sudan Shield Forces at a military checkpoint at the entrance to the city of Wad Madani in Al‑Jazirah State, while returning from a field reporting assignment.
According to local sources, the force forcibly removed the journalist from the bus in which he was traveling and took him to an undisclosed location, with no information available regarding the reasons for his detention or the authority responsible for holding him.
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate expressed concern over the incident, stating that the journalist’s fate remains unknown and calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
The incident comes amid growing concerns regarding restrictions imposed on journalists and media workers while performing their professional duties, and the resulting impact on press freedom and the safety of journalists.
The Committee for Justice calls for the immediate disclosure of Al‑Rayeh Essam’s place of detention, guarantees for his physical and legal safety, and his release unless he is charged with a recognizable offense through procedures that comply with fair trial standards. CFJ also calls for an end to practices that threaten journalists or obstruct their work, and for ensuring respect for freedom of the press and the protection of media professionals while carrying out their duties.
