Embassy of Sudan in Abidjan Organizes a Tribute to Journalists and Media Personnel Victims of the War
Abidjan – Friday, October 30:
The Embassy of Sudan in Abidjan, in cooperation with the Ivorian human rights non-governmental organization “Freedom Steps,” organized a tribute ceremony to honor the journalists and media personnel who have lost their lives during the ongoing war in Sudan since mid-April 2023.
The event, held at the mission’s headquarters, was attended by prominent representatives from the National Union of Ivorian Journalists, local and international human rights organizations, alongside a gathering of journalists, media professionals, and representatives of the Sudanese community in Côte d’Ivoire.
Honoring the Martyrs of Truth
The program included laying a wreath in the embassy’s courtyard as a gesture of respect and tribute to the fallen Sudanese journalists. The Embassy also distributed a list of prominent media professionals who were martyred while performing their professional duties in covering the conflict and the horrific violations committed by the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, or who died due to the direct consequences of the crisis. Foremost among them was the pioneer of Sudanese journalism, the late Mr. Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh, who passed away in Cairo in February 2024 following complications from displacement and illness.
In his address during the event, the Chargé d’Affaires Mukhtar Bilal Abdelsalam emphasized that the war waged by the rebel militia against the Sudanese state has claimed the lives of more than 13,000 civilians, including dozens of journalists and media professionals.
Documenting Violations and Seeking Justice
The Chargé d’Affaires noted that the event coincided with the anniversary of the fall of El Fasher on October 26, 2025. He strongly condemned the war crimes and genocide committed by the militia in the city, adding that the Sudanese Armed Forces are currently positioned on the outskirts of Darfur, preparing to reclaim it.
The release highlighted the story of the late journalist Hanan Adam, a former employee of the Ministry of Culture and Information in Gezira State. The organizing NGO adopted her as a symbol for the event after she and her brother were targeted and killed inside their home in Wad Al-Asha village by the rebel militia.
On the legal front, the Embassy reviewed the Sudanese government’s efforts to protect journalists and hold perpetrators accountable. A high-level committee, headed by the Sudanese Attorney General, was established to investigate war crimes, field executions, and the targeting of civilian infrastructure. Furthermore, the government has taken diplomatic and legal steps internationally, providing United Nations mechanisms and the International Criminal Court with evidence regarding the massacres in El Geneina and El Fasher, while pursuing regional actors accused of financing these violations.
International Solidarity
In conclusion, the Chargé d’Affaires expressed the Embassy’s deep appreciation for the initiative taken by “Freedom Steps,” describing it as a powerful manifestation of international solidarity with the Sudanese people against the war imposed upon them. The event concluded with attendees standing for a minute of silence to honor the ultimate sacrifices made by Sudanese media professionals to counter the militia’s attempts to conceal its systematic crimes