Sudanese authorities have banned on Monday online Arabic newspaper Hurriyat Sudan, local media have reported.
Hurriyat Sudan has reported that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has blocked its website since June 25, following its coverage of the protests in the Sudanese capital. According to activists two other websites have been blocked including alrakoba.net and sudaneseonline.com. Both have been covering the demonstrations.
Hurriyat was informed by its readers on Monday around 5.30pm that its site was inaccessible. Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has accused some websites of campaigning against the regime and collaborating with opposition parties.
According to Hurriyat, the website is still accessible through its official Facebook page and by downloading software from the Ultrasurf website
Sudan security forces have arrested scores of people, including several journalists and activists in a brutal crackdown on protests that began on 16 June. Police have been accused of using excessive force in breaking up protests, beating demonstrators, using tear gas and rubber bullets.
On Wednesday, Sudanese activist “Mimz” was questioned for 11 hours over her participation in Khartoum’s protests. The night before her house was raided by 12 National Intelligence Security Services officers. Her phone and laptop were confiscated.
Bloomberg correspondent Salma el-Wardany has been deported on Tuesday for covering the protests.
Citizen journalist Usamah Mohamad has been reportedly arrested last Friday in the country’s capital. Until today, his whereabouts remain unknown.
Although the protests began with students, the movement gained momentum as the days passed spreading to key towns before slowing down after a security crackdown on Saturday.
Since activists have continued to try to use discontent over the economy to build a broader movement to end Bashir's 23-year rule. Two important protests have been planned for the next few days, a demonstration on June 29 after the Friday prayers and a general strike on June 30 to mark the 23rd anniversary of the military coup that brought Bashir into power.
