Thirty Sudanese journalists on Tuesday started indefinite hunger strike to pressurize the government after the suspension of the El Tayar, which is the daily afternoon newspaper, from publication.
Information received from Sudan and reported by CRN stated that the journalists could not eat anything but only drank water during the strike in the office, he added. “We will not lift our strike until the newspaper returns to the press and until all forms of censorship on newspapers stop”, Khaled Fathi, Editor-In-Chief, told Radio Dabanga on Monday.
According to Fathi, they will tie their hands with chains as a symbolic expression of the restrictions on the freedom of expression in Sudan. Doctors, in support of the protest, will conduct medical check-ups among the strikers.
No reasons were given for the indefinite suspension of El Tayar since December 15.
Another Editor, Osman Mirghani pointed out that the suspension could have been sparked by his editorials which was sharply criticizing the Finance Minister’s proposal to lift subsidies on wheat, flour, fuel and electricity in the year 2016. As a result, Sudanese throughout the country are now facing high food prices, shortages of flour, and difficulties to obtain cooking gas because of the lifted subsidies.
Meanwhile, a senior United Nations Official has disclosed that at least fifty thousand people were killed and 2.2 million people became refugees since the conflict erupted in South Sudan two year ago.
However, some people see a little prospect of the implementation of the peace deal signed in August 2015.
Last week, US Secretary of State, John Kerry said President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar would face individual sanctions if they did not deliver on the peace deal.
Source: CRN
