By Musa Sunusi Ahmad:
Sudan, once a beacon of hope for political transition in Africa, has been plunged into relentless conflict since April 2023. The violent power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has not only decimated lives and infrastructure but also shattered the country’s fragile governance and its ability to communicate openly and freely.
More than 40,000 people have died, over 12 million are displaced internally or as refugees, and nearly half of Sudan’s population faces food insecurity. Yet behind these staggering numbers lies a less visible but equally devastating crisis: the destruction of Sudan’s information ecosystem, the silencing of journalists, and a dangerous fog of misinformation that deepens the wounds of war.
The Political and Military Fault Lines
The current war is rooted in Sudan’s fragile political transition after the 2019 overthrow of Omar al-Bashir, who ruled for 30 years with an iron fist. The power vacuum that followed created tensions between military factions vying for control over Sudan’s future.
The SAF, loyal to the former military establishment, and the RSF, a powerful paramilitary force with roots in the notorious Janjaweed militias responsible for atrocities in Darfur, were initially uneasy partners. But by April 2023, these tensions erupted into open warfare, with each side seeking to assert dominance.
The country has since fractured into zones controlled alternately by SAF and RSF forces. Governance structures have disintegrated, lawlessness prevails, and civilians are trapped in a deadly crossfire. Reports of ethnic cleansing, rape as a weapon of war, and indiscriminate attacks have surged, particularly in Darfur and Khartoum.
In a landmark ruling, the International Criminal Court (ICC) convicted Ali Kushayb, a former Janjaweed leader linked to the RSF, for war crimes in Darfur, underscoring the conflict’s ongoing humanitarian dimension. Yet despite international condemnation, impunity remains widespread.
Communication Breakdown: Media Infrastructure Under Siege
War’s destruction extends beyond the battlefield. The conflict has systematically targeted Sudan’s media infrastructure, a critical pillar of democracy and civil society. According to the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, 90% of media outlets, printing presses, and broadcasting infrastructure have been damaged, destroyed, or rendered inoperable.
Thousands of journalists have been forced to flee or operate underground amid escalating threats, harassment, and direct violence. Since April 2023, at least nine journalists have been killed, several others abducted, and many more imprisoned without due process.
The destruction of media outlets and the forced exile of journalists have left millions without reliable sources of news. Propaganda and disinformation now fill the void, with both SAF and RSF controlling local narratives to justify their actions and delegitimize opponents.
The Human Cost: Information as a Lifeline
Communication is more than just information; it is a lifeline in crises. Humanitarian agencies rely on accurate, timely data to deliver aid, coordinate evacuations, and monitor human rights abuses. In Sudan, the collapse of independent media has severely hampered these efforts.
Communities isolated by conflict and disrupted communication networks face increased vulnerability. Rumors spread rapidly in the absence of trusted news sources, leading to fear, confusion, and at times, violence between ethnic groups and communities.
Moreover, communication plays a critical role in fostering dialogue and reconciliation, essential components in any peace building process. Without channels for dialogue and information exchange, mistrust deepens, and the prospects for peace diminish.
The Resilience of Sudanese Journalists
Amid the destruction and intimidation, Sudanese journalists have shown remarkable courage and resilience. Many operate covertly, using encrypted platforms, social media, and mobile technology to report stories from the frontlines.
Supported by international organizations like UNESCO and Reporters Without Borders, these journalists defy censorship and repression. Their reporting provides a crucial window into the realities on the ground, countering propaganda and bearing witness to atrocities.
As Khartoum-based reporter explains, “We risk everything because the world needs to know what is happening here. Without information, people lose hope.”
The Role of the International Community
The international community has a vital role in safeguarding freedom of the press and restoring communication networks in Sudan. Key measures include:
– Providing safe zones and secure corridors for journalists.
– Funding emergency media operations and mobile journalism units.
– Supporting digital tools that enable secure, uncensored reporting.
– Offering mental health services and trauma counseling for journalists.
– Pressuring all parties to respect media freedoms and cease attacks on the press.
These steps not only protect journalists but also ensure that humanitarian efforts can be coordinated and that peace initiatives are informed by accurate information.
Communication as a Foundation for Peace
Sudan’s future depends on more than ceasefires and political deals. It requires rebuilding trust between the government and citizens, between communities, and between Sudan and the world. Free, independent communication is foundational to this process.
Without a functioning media and open channels for dialogue, reconciliation efforts risk failure. Information empowers citizens, holds leaders accountable, and enables societies to heal.
Beyond Guns and Governance
Sudan’s unending war is a stark reminder of the intertwined nature of conflict, governance, and communication. As bullets fly, so do stories, some truthful, many distorted. Amid the devastation, the struggle for control over Sudan’s narrative is as crucial as control over its land.
The international community, humanitarian agencies, and media organizations must act decisively to protect Sudanese journalists, rebuild communication infrastructure, and ensure the flow of reliable information.
Because in Sudan’s fight for its future, communication is more than a tool, it is a lifeline for peace.
