Sudanese Journalists Syndicate

Journalistic syndicate in Sudan

Sudanese Journalists Syndicate

نقابة الصحفيين السودانيين

Sudanese Journalists Syndicate logo since 2023

Abbreviation| SJS
Formation| August 2022; 2 years ago (2022-08)
Headquarters| At the cross of Ali Dinar St. with Barlaman Ave.[1]
Location|

* Khartoum, Sudan[2]

Membership| +1,300

Chair

| Abdelmonim Abu Idris
Website| sudanesejs.org
facebook.com/sdjsofficial

Building details

General information
Coordinates| 15°36′27.15138″N 32°32′7.82848″E﻿ / ﻿15.6075420500°N 32.5355079111°E﻿ / 15.6075420500; 32.5355079111

The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate (SJS) (Arabic: نقابة الصحفيين السودانيين) is a professional organisation for journalists in Sudan. The syndicate was re-established in August 2022 after more than three decades of absence. The last independent journalists' union was dissolved in 1989 when Omar al-Bashir came to power after a coup d'état.[3][4]

## History

[edit]

In August 2022, the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate held elections in Khartoum, electing Abdelmonim Abu Idris, an Agence France-Presse journalist, as the new chair.[5][6] The election committee allowed electronic voting, a first in Sudan, with 1,100 journalists voting from Sudan and 150 from outside. Despite the General Registrar of Sudanese Labour Organisations declaring the syndicate's establishment "illegal", the Unified Physicians’ Office and the Sudanese Teachers Committee supported the syndicate, citing international conventions ratified by Sudan supporting freedom of work and union organisation.[6][7]

The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate was re-established after 33 years after it was dissolved in 1989 after Omar al-Bashir coup d'état.[8][9]

However, the syndicate is facing opposition from the Registrar of Labor Organizations and some journalists affiliated with the toppled regime. The Registrar refused to approve the syndicate's documents and structures, citing violations of the Trade Union Law of 2010. Despite this, the syndicate, led by Abdulmoniem Abu Idrees, is determined to continue its work and confront the decision, drawing its legitimacy from Agreement No. 87 regarding freedom of association, which Sudan ratified under Law No. 1 of 2021.[10][11][12]

The SJS rejected Israel–Sudan normalisation agreement that was signed in 2022.[13][14]

### Sudanese civil war (2023–present)

[edit]

During the war the syndicate has been vocal against the deliberate targeting of journalists by rival military factions.[5][15][16][17] The SJS reported on 10 August that 13 newspapers had ceased operations due to the conflict, while FM radio stations and channels also halted broadcasts, with journalists grappling with unpaid wages.[18] The SJS financially supported 187 since the start of the war but reported that more than 600 journalist lost their jobs due to the war,[19] with more than 200 being internally displaced.[20]

In December 2023, The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate has called for international intervention to establish secure passages for civilians and journalists in Al-Jazirah State, following the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) takeover of the state.[21][22] The RSF's actions have led to distressing incidents, including forced confiscation of property and restrictions on movement. The syndicate has denounced these actions as "unarmed terrorism" and urged for pressure on the RSF to ensure safe passage for stranded civilians. The RSF Advisory Council has stated that it will not tolerate misbehaviour within its ranks and will use necessary force to protect the Sudanese people.[23]

## Aims

[edit]

The syndicate aims to defend the freedom and professionalism of the press, and contribute to the democratic and civil transformation in Sudan. The syndicate will also seek a minimum wage and health and social insurance for its members, and push for paid maternity leave for the first time.[24]

The union consists of more than 1,300 members,[8][7] and provide health coverage for its members.[25] In February 2024, the syndicate trained 185 journalist in El-Gadarif.[26]

The syndicate has been vocal against the deliberate targeting of journalists,[27][28] and called for investigation into the killing,[29][30][31] assaulting,[32] and detention[27] of journalists.[33][34]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Journalists Syndicate inaugurates new headquarters". suna-news.net. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
2. ^ "نقابة الصحفيين السودانيين تفتتح مقرها رسمياً وتدشن "نادي الصحافة" – صحيفة التغيير السودانية , اخبار السودان" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
3. ^ "Au Soudan, un premier syndicat indépendant de journalistes et de nombreux défis". Le Monde (in French). Agence France-Presse. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
4. ^ "نقابة للصحفيين في السودان.. تجربة "تاريخية" تثير قلق بعض القوى | الحرة". www.alhurra.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
5. ^ a b Salih, Zeinab Mohammed (2022-08-30). "Sudan journalists defy military rule by forming first union in 30 years". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
6. ^ a b dabanga (2022-08-29). "Sudanese Journalists Syndicate elects first chair in 33 years". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
7. ^ a b عاين, شبكة (2022-08-29). "أعلان نتائج انتخابات أول نقابة للصحفيين السودانيين بعد غياب 30 عاماً". Ayin network - شبكة عاين (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
8. ^ a b "Sudan: Journalists form first democratically elected union in decades". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
9. ^ "نقابة مهنية تدين حملات تستهدف الصحفيين السودانيين - Beam Reports | بيــم ريبـورتس". 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
10. ^ mozdapress (2023-02-22). "السلطات السودانية ترفض اعتماد وثائق وهياكل نقابة الصحفيين". سودان تربيون (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
11. ^ "مسجل تنظيمات العمل يرفض اعتماد نقابة الصحفيين السودانيين – موقع دارفور٢٤ الاخباري" (in Arabic). 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
12. ^ Sarah (2023-03-01). "Skyline condemns Sudan authorities' refusal to register Journalists Syndicate". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
13. ^ "نقابة الصحفيين السودانيين تعلن رفضها تطبيع الانقلاب مع إسرائيل – صحيفة التغيير السودانية , اخبار السودان" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
14. ^ Saleh, Prof Dr Mohsen Mohammad (2021-04-19). The Palestine Strategic Report 2018-2019. Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies & Consultations. ISBN 978-9953-572-99-4.
15. ^ "Sudan's belligerents are targeting journalists". Reporters Without Boarders. 2023-07-05.
16. ^ "إدانات لاعتقال الأجهزة الأمنية صحفياً بولاية سودانية – صحيفة التغيير السودانية , اخبار السودان" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
17. ^ "النقابة: الحرب عمقت معاناة الصحفيين والصحفيات في السودان – صحيفة التغيير السودانية , اخبار السودان" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
18. ^ "War leaves Sudan media in 'turmoil'". Radio Dabanga. 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
19. ^ ""نقابة الصحفيين السودانيين" تقول إنها دعمت أكثر من (200) صحفي خلال فترة الحرب – صحيفة التغيير السودانية , اخبار السودان" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
20. ^ "النقابة: الحرب شردت أكثر من "200" صحفياً سودانياً والبعض مجهول المصير – صحيفة التغيير السودانية , اخبار السودان" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
21. ^ mozdapress (2023-12-26). "نقابة الصحفيين السودانيين تنادي بانقاذ الاف العالقين في ولاية الجزيرة بعد اجتياح الدعم السريع". سودان تربيون (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
22. ^ "Sudanese Journalists Call on RSF to Ensure Protection in Al Jazeera [4:00]". Voice of America. 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
23. ^ SudanTribune (2023-12-27). "Sudanese journalists syndicate calls for safe corridors for civilians in Jazirah State". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
24. ^ "نقابة الصحفيين السودانيين – Sudanese Journalists Syndicate" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
25. ^ "نقابة الصحفيين السودانيين تعلن عن اتفاق لإدخال عضويتها في التأمين الصحي – صحيفة التغيير السودانية , اخبار السودان" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
26. ^ "Sudanese Journalists Syndicate trains 185 journalists in El Gedaref". Radio Tamazuj. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
27. ^ a b Staff, C. P. J. (2023-05-30). "Journalists shot, beaten, and harassed covering conflict between Sudan's rival military groups". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
28. ^ Dabanga (2022-10-26). "Sudanese Journalists Syndicate criticise 'terrible regression' of press freedom". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
29. ^ "CPJ calls for investigation into killing of Sudanese journalist Halima Idris Salim". Committee to Protect Journalists. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
30. ^ Amgad (2023-07-06). "Sudan journalists condemn shooting of photojournalist and 'continued press attacks'". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
31. ^ Camille (2023-06-19). "Two journalists shot by snipers in Khartoum". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
32. ^ "Sudanese paramilitary soldiers assault at least 3 journalists, hold 2 overnight". Committee to Protect Journalists. 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
33. ^ Nashed, Mat. "Silencing dissent: Journalists in Sudan face threats, raids". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
34. ^ "How journalists are living through the conflict in Sudan". International Journalists' Network. Retrieved 2024-03-09.