Sudanese photojournalist Abdelaziz Mahmoud Saleh Arja, a photographer for state-owned Sudan TV, was arrested by a Sudanese government joint security cell in Port Sudan on April 29, 2025, shortly after arriving at the city’s airport. Authorities accused him of cooperating and communicating with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to a local journalist who is following the case and spoke to CPJ on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. On August 12, 2026, the Port Sudan General Court acquitted Arja of the charges and ordered his release, ending more than 15 months in detention.
Arja worked as a photographer for Sudan TV in Central Darfur and with the state radio and television authority, in addition to contributing to local media outlets, according to two local journalists who spoke with CPJ on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal.
Arja was initially held by the security cell for more than four months before being transferred to Port Sudan’s national prison. His trial began in May 2026, more than a year after his arrest. He was prosecuted under Article 50 of Sudan’s Criminal Code, concerning undermining the constitutional order; Article 51, waging war against the state; and Article 26, which is related to cybercrimes.
This was Arja’s second detention during the civil war between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, which began in April 2023. On April 30, 2024, RSF soldiers raided his home in Zalingei, Central Darfur, and arrested him. Arja spent about four months in RSF detention, accused of cooperating with the Sudanese army, before being released after payment of a ransom and ordered to remain in Zalingei.
CPJ contacted the RSF through its website and emailed the SAF to request comment but did not receive a response.