Sudanese media professionals and activists have sharply condemned Abdel Majid Abdel Hameed, a prominent leader of the Islamic Movement (Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood), after he demanded that Sudanese Security Forces behead Maha Al-Talib, a journalist and correspondent for Asharq Channel.
His call came after Al-Talib aired a report on the ongoing war in Sudan, which featured statements from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Outrage Over Incitement
Abdel Hameed, who was aligned with former dictator al-Bashir’s regime, took to Facebook to question, “Who is behind the Asharq Channel correspondent in Sudan?”
He accused her of boldly attacking the Sudanese people and SAF by reporting on the RSF’s perspective.
Hameed expressed his outrage, saying, “In the capital of the country that owns this channel, the head of any journalist who reports a single line from an opposition figure will fly off, let alone report a statement from a rebelling party threatening the country’s Army.”
Abdel Hameed further criticized the General Intelligence Service and the Sudanese Minister of Information, urging them to respond to the report or risk catastrophe. He warned that failing to address the matter would be disastrous.
The report in question, aired Friday, focused on the ongoing conflict between General al-Burhan’s forces (SAF) and the RSF. It highlighted the RSF’s continued presence in Khartoum, supported by statements from RSF sources.
Outpouring of Support for Al-Talib
Following Abdel Hameed’s post, Sudanese media professionals rallied behind Al-Talib, condemning his incitement against journalists. Shamael Al-Nur, a fellow journalist, called the threats “unfortunate,” especially since they came from a colleague in the field.
She stressed the heavy price the journalistic community has paid due to such incitement, with lives lost and bloodshed. Al-Nur defended Al-Talib as a reporter who simply relays facts from all sides, stressing that professionalism is the core of journalism.
Writer and journalist Maher Abu Al-Joukh also expressed his support for Al-Talib, recalling how some Sudanese media professionals had previously shown solidarity with Abdel Hameed during his arrest by the Security Forces last year, despite their political differences. Abu Al-Joukh urged others to engage in professional dialogue rather than resort to incitement, praising Al-Talib’s perseverance in her reporting.
The controversy underscores the tense environment faced by journalists in Sudan, where press freedom and safety continue to be under threat.
