Ismail Mohamed Ahmed, a reporter for Al-Mawakib and formerly for Ra’y al-Shaab, and an employee at the media office of the local health department, went missing on October 26, 2025, when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group captured El-Fasher in its last attempt to control all of Darfur and establish a parallel government.
Ahmed was first reported missing while attempting to flee El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, according to two local journalists who are following the case and spoke to CPJ on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. They added that he relocated to a safer area in the second week of November.
He was among several journalists and media workers who went missing after the RSF seized the city.
CPJ contacted the RSF through its website to request comment on Ahmed’s whereabouts, in case he was in RSF custody, but did not receive a response.