Authorities in Sudan have shut down the Khartoum office of Qatar-based Al Jazeera Direct, accusing the 24-hour news station of “unprofessional” coverage that has hurt the country’s interests and national security.
In a letter addressed to the manager of the Khartoum office, the Ministry of Information said the station had damaged Sudan’s social fabric by broadcasting content that “runs contrary to the profession’s conduct, customs and morals”.
The channel also showed inappropriate and old videos, which “hurt the nation’s supreme interests and national security”, the ministry said.
The letter, a copy of which was seen by The National on Sunday, was signed by the ministry’s acting undersecretary, Nasr Al Deen Khaled.
Al Jazeera television network, to which Al Jazeera Direct belongs, did not immediately comment on the Sudanese government’s decision.
The ministry did not specify which story covered by Al Jazeera Direct angered the authorities, but the timing and the phrasing of the letter suggest that it was to do with street protests against military rule after the October 25 coup that upended Sudan’s democratic transition.
Al Jazeera Direct provided live coverage of the protests. The footage was watched in Sudan and beyond amid disruptions by the authorities of the internet and telephone lines on days of major rallies, to prevent organisers and activists from sharing live videos.
The disruptions, along with the use of force against protesters and the closure of Nile bridges in the capital Khartoum, drew strong criticism from Sudan’s western backers.
Authorities, however, did not disrupt internet and telephone services during the last two protests.
At least 64 people have been killed and thousands injured in the protests since the coup. Security forces have also assaulted or detained reporters and cameramen. In one incident, they stormed the Khartoum office of Al Hadath television, which is part of the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya network, hitting employees with sticks and confiscating equipment.
The Health Ministry at the weekend published a list of the names and ages of 64 killed in the protests. Of these, 51 were under the age of 21. The oldest victim was 70, while the youngest was 13.
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Rating: 3/5
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
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*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
About RuPay
A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank
RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards
It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.
In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments
The name blends two words rupee and payment
Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs
