Sudan Protests
The Sudanese government began a campaign to detain journalists covering protests following the injury and death of several demonstrators on Jan. 17, according to Africanews.
Journalists from publications such as Anadolu News Agency and Al Jazeera have had their work permits revoked due to their coverage of the months-long protests regarding Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
Sudanese citizens protesting al-Bashir’s rule have faced tear gas and live rounds that resulted in the deaths of at least two demonstrators. According to Al Jazeera, Moawia Bashir Khalil, 60, was killed in an attempt to protect other protesters.
Moreover, Al Jazeera reported that the Sudanese government deployed their police force undercover in civilian clothes in order to subdue citizens the regime deems problematic.
Al-Bashir has been in power for over 30 years, despite accusations of genocide and other war crimes in western Sudan that has led to the warrant for his arrest.
Many protesters took to social media to document their display of defiance.
“We want this violent crackdown on protesters to end,” tweeted activist group Amnesty International.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) suggested that some of the tension between the Sudanese government and its citizens stem from the country's deep economic issues.
"Despite a peace accord signed in August 2015, South Sudan remains on the verge of economic collapse and continues to struggle with widespread food insecurity," reads the IRC website.
The ongoing genocide in western Sudan that has resulted in over 100,000 verified deaths started in 2003, and is widely considered to be one of the worst human rights violations in the 21st century.