We, the undersigned organizations and journalists, express serious concern regarding the detention of Sudanese journalist Muammar Ibrahim by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Mr. Ibrahim has been held since October 26, 2025, following his detention in El-Fasher, North Darfur.
According to available information, RSF detained Mr. Ibrahim while he was attempting to leave El-Fasher amid hostilities. On the day he was detained, a video circulated on social media showing Mr. Ibrahim in the presence of RSF fighters, in which he identifies himself and confirms he has been detained. A subsequent video, released at a later date, shows him speaking while under questioning and stating that he had been transferred to Nyala, South Darfur. These videos constitute the only publicly available information regarding his whereabouts. We are particularly concerned by the absence of verified information about Mr. Ibrahim’s health, legal status, and conditions of detention. Since his arrest, he has largely been held incommunicado without access to family or legal counsel. Such circumstances raise serious concerns for his safety and well-being.
Journalists are civilians and are entitled to protection under international humanitarian law. Parties exercising control over detainees bear responsibility for ensuring their humane treatment, including safeguarding their physical integrity and providing access to necessary medical care.
In light of these concerns, we urge the RSF to urgently release Mr. Ibrahim and to ensure his safety and physical well-being. We further urge all parties to the conflict in Sudan to respect the work of journalists and to refrain from actions that endanger journalists and media workers. Safeguarding journalists contributes to transparency, accountability, and the protection of civilians during conflict.
Taking prompt and humane action in this case would help alleviate serious concerns about Mr. Ibrahim’s health and would represent an important step toward reducing harm to journalists operating in Sudan.
Signatories
- ActiveWatch
- Adam Parsons, Sky News
- Akram Alnajjar, Alash Libyan Media Platform
- Al Raheel Newspaper
- AlTaghyeer Newspaper
- Aljazeera
- Alex Crawford, Sky News
- Andrew Gully, The New Humanitarian
- ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa
- Avaaz
- Ayin Network
- Barbara Plett Usher, BBC News
- Barnaby Mitchell, Sky News
- Bethany Rielly, New Internationalist
- Bloggers Association of Kenya
- Bloggers of Zambia (BloggersZM)
- CIVICUS
- Collectif des familles de disparus en Algerie
- Constance Daire, Africa Intelligence
- Dar Media Production
- Darfur 24
- Darfur Network for Human Rights
- Declan Walsh, The New York Times
- Diana Magnay, Sky News
- Dominique Van Heerden, Sky News
- Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF)
- Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
- Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media
- Eiad Husham, Ayin Network
- Equipe Media
- Faisal Ali, Al Jazeera English
- Faisal Elbagir, Sudans Reporters
- France 24
- Free UN Coalition for Access / Inner City Press
- Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)
- HAND (Human Rights and Democracy Network)
- Hiba Morgan, Al Jazeera English
- Human Rights Foundation
- HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement
- IFEX
- International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL)
- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
- International Press Association of East Africa
- International Press Institute
- James Matthews, Sky News
- Journalist for Human Rights (JHR)
- Jubrakanews Ltd
- Kenya Human Rights Commission
- Libya Crimes Watch (LCW)
- Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 News
- Madania News
- Mark Stone, Sky News
- Mashaweer Newspaper
- Mike Yambo, Nation Media Group
- MISA Mozambique
- Moatinoon Newspaper
- Mohamed Krichen, Aljazeera
- Mohamed Zakaria, Dar Media Production
- Nesrine Malik, The Guardian
- Noé Michalon, Africa Intelligence
- PAEMA
- PEN America
- Reha Kansara, BBC News
- Reporters Without Borders
- Samir Kassir Foundation
- SMEX
- Sophie Alexander, Sky News
- Stuart Ramsay, Sky News
- Sudan News Sweep
- Sudanese Journalists Syndicate
- The Darfur Women Journalists Forum
- The Journalists Sudanese Syndicate
- The Simon and June Li Center for Global Journalism
- The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP)
- Union Burundaise des Journalistes (UBJ)
- Union of Journalists in Lebanon
- Woman and Child Issues Radio
- World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
- Yousra Elbagir, Sky News
- Zambia Free Press Initiative
