Sudan revokes license of Al Jazeera Mubasher

Sudanese authorities have revoked the license of Al Jazeera Mubasher TV, citing “unprofessional coverage” of developments in Sudan.

The Information Ministry said in a letter to the director of Al Jazeera television in Sudan on Saturday that the move was taken due to the channel’s “unprofessional approach” and broadcast of media content that “harmed the country’s higher interests and national security.”

The Doha-based network condemned the Sudanese move. “Al Jazeera condemns the interference with its duty to convey fair and objective coverage of events in the country and to allow its journalists to operate unhindered and to practice their profession,” it said in a statement.

The network described the Sudanese move as “an attack on press freedom as a whole,” calling on international human rights and media organizations to condemn “this infringement of journalists’ safety.”

This was the second time for the Sudanese authorities to close Al Jazeera office in Sudan. In May 2019, its office was shut down by Sudanese authorities, which reversed its decision two months later.

Sudan has been in turmoil since Oct. 25, 2021 when the military dismissed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s transitional government and declared a state of emergency.

Prior to the military takeover, Sudan was governed by a sovereign council of military and civilian officials tasked with overseeing the transition period until elections in 2023.

Hamdok was reinstated on Nov. 21 following an agreement, but protesters denounced the deal, insisting on the removal of any military influence over the transitional governing coalition. He resigned on Jan. 2, citing a political deadlock.