Egypt: Sudanese Journalist Arrested Over Alleged Social Media Post

What the report says

The International Federation of Journalists says Sudanese journalist Attaf Mohamed Mokhtar has been held by Egyptian authorities for a week without any public explanation of the allegations against him. Mokhtar is the editor-in-chief of Al-Sudani and, according to the report, moved to Cairo with his family after fighting in Sudan began in April 2023. He has been described as a critic of outside support for the Rapid Support Forces and of interference in Sudan’s internal affairs.

The article says Mokhtar was reportedly arrested over a social media post that criticized Sudanese internal affairs, but Egyptian officials have not confirmed or denied that account. The IFJ said the lack of information about his health or the circumstances of his detention in Cairo has raised concern. The Sudanese Journalists Union also called for his immediate release and said it had contacted senior Sudanese officials about the case.

The IFJ warned that the arrest could have a chilling effect on exiled journalists in Egypt, where many reporters from the region have sought safety. More broadly, press freedom groups have often raised concerns about the treatment of journalists in conflict-related cases, especially when authorities do not disclose charges or detention details. In this instance, the organizations involved are urging Egypt to release Mokhtar and clarify why he was detained.