At a time when Sudanese women journalists face unprecedented challenges, She Speaks Sudan has provided a critical platform for training, mentorship, and collaboration. Launched in 2024 by Thomson in partnership with the digital cultural multimedia platform and cross-cultural enterprise Andariya, the initiative has enabled 30 women journalists and civil society activists in exile to strengthen their approach to navigate crisis reporting, digital security and gender-sensitive storytelling.
Among them is Amal Mohamed Elhassan Ali, a Sudanese journalist now based in Kenya, who continues to document war crimes, human rights violations, and political struggles. In this interview, she reflects on the resilience required to report on Sudan's conflict.
How has being a Sudanese journalist, especially in the current context, affected your work? Like every Sudanese citizen, we journalists have suffered the consequences of war. But we do not have the luxury of looking away. I recall hiding under a bed with my children in Omdurman as airstrikes rained down yet still writing articles. Even after fleeing Sudan, I find myself unable to stop documenting the war and analysing its horrors. We endure the pain and trauma because we are certain of one thing: our voices must never be silenced.
To what extent do you rely on the network of Sudanese women journalists in exile? For many of us in exile, our network of Sudanese women journalists has become a vital source of psychological support. While we may not always express it openly, we draw strength from one another-finding solace in shared experiences, encouragement in each other's work, and inspiration to continue.
What logistical challenges do you face as a journalist in exile? How difficult is it to obtain accurate information? Navigating life in exile comes with its own uncertainties- understanding local laws, adapting to new realities, and working under constant threat, as intelligence agencies continue to target us. On a personal level, being a single mother in exile adds another layer of difficulty. I no longer have the support system of family and friends, and I bear the full responsibility of raising teenagers in an unfamiliar cultural environment, while also struggling with language barriers.
As for gathering information, this remains one of our greatest challenges. The warring parties refuse to engage with independent journalists, relying instead on war propaganda. Accessing sources is like walking through a minefield. Many victims fear speaking out, knowing that they are still within areas controlled by one faction or the other. Internet and electricity blackouts make communication nearly impossible in some regions.
What stories can you tell about Sudan now that you are in exile? Being based in Kenya has provided new perspectives on Sudan's civil resistance movements and their challenges. I have conducted interviews that sparked political debates, including discussions on internal conflicts within Sudan's opposition groups and their positioning in the ongoing war. Additionally, I continue to report on war crimes and human rights violations, writing both from exile and through sources still inside Sudan.
How did you hear about the She Speaks Sudan' programme? I came across an announcement on social media. The programme was a unique opportunity- not just for training but for the invaluable discussions it fostered among Sudanese women journalists in exile. It gave me time to reflect on differing perspectives and approaches to reporting on Sudan's conflict.
The programme covered key topics such as crisis reporting and gender-sensitive journalism. Which had the greatest impact on you, and why? Every aspect of the programme was beneficial-investigative techniques, digital safety, and gender-sensitive journalism. The latter resonated with me, as I am deeply committed to amplifying women's voices in the conflict. This led to the creation of a podcast series, The War Through Their Eyes, which gives Sudanese women a platform to express their perspectives on the war-a war they suffer from the most yet have no say in starting or ending.
The programme emphasised resilience. What does resilience mean to you in journalism? In our field, resilience is essential for survival. With independent journalism under constant attack in Sudan, our ability to endure, adapt, and recover from challenges is what allows us to keep going. Without resilience, we would have been silenced long ago.
Among your recent stories, which do you consider the most important, and why? One of my most significant reports was about a courageous Sudanese woman who survived sexual violence at the hands of soldiers in Khartoum. This story mattered for two reasons. First, the woman's bravery in coming forward was extraordinary. Her determination to speak out, despite societal backlash, was inspiring. Second, exposing such crimes directly challenged the Rapid Support Forces, who consistently deny these allegations. In a press conference, I confronted a senior official about these violations, forcing them to acknowledge the existence of such reports. International legal experts have emphasised that documenting and questioning authorities on such crimes creates a record that can later be used in war crime trials. This reinforces the crucial role journalists play in holding perpetrators accountable.
How do you see the role of Sudanese women journalists in shaping narratives about Sudan? Sudanese women journalists have played a crucial role in exposing the realities of this war-its illegitimacy and the widespread human rights abuses. As the primary victims of this war, women are uniquely positioned to shape a more accurate and compelling narrative-one that pressures for peace and justice.
She Speaks Sudan is part of the Empowering Media Actors' proje
Europe Stories
04/09/2025
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...
08/05/2025
As expected, continued weak demand from key sales markets and declining economic...
08/05/2025
A new three-part series is coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One
(Image: The Christie Archive Trust)
The BBC has announced Agatha Christie's Endless Night, a...
08/05/2025
08 May 2025
VEON Shareholders Re-elect Board at 2025 AGM, Founder Augie Fabela ...
08/05/2025
Comedy and entertainment channel U&Dave bring back their #1 ranked programme of ...
08/05/2025
Expect even more chaos this July with Harriet Webb leading the returning cast, p...
08/05/2025
TenneT relies on Arvato Systems for market communication
Energy industry: Impressive market communication know-how and system integration expertise
G tersloh...
08/05/2025
When Taiki Hamamoto, 22, came across a Hanafuda deck at his local game shop, he was intrigued. He had grown up playing the traditional Japanese card game with f...
08/05/2025
The Liveline is now open , said Joe Duffy earlier today, as he previewed this af...
08/05/2025
RT , in association with the BBC, Screen Ireland and Cineflix Rights has reveale...
07/05/2025
Discovering music should feel effortless and fun. That's why Spotify continu...
07/05/2025
FOX Doubles Down on the Laughs Renewing Comedies Animal Control, Starring Joel M...
07/05/2025
07 May 2025
VEON's QazCode Signs MoU with Seekr to Develop AI-Powered Solut...
07/05/2025
UKTV has ordered a feature length documentary celebrating the life of Britain...
07/05/2025
Wednesday 7 May 2025
Shaun the Sheep fans are in for a baaaarilliant treat in 2...
07/05/2025
Rohde & Schwarz to highlight innovative broadcast technologies at CABSAT 2025 Rohde & Schwarz will showcase its latest energy-efficient transmitters and 5G Br...
07/05/2025
The Importance of Workflow Efficiencies in Post-Production Wednesday, 14 May
14:40
FilmLight sits down with Sam Lempp, head of business development for Nara, ...
07/05/2025
RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of RT journalist, Fergal O'Brien, as its new Business Correspondent.
In his new role, Fergal will be repor...
06/05/2025
In Colombia, music isn't just background noise-it's center stage. It'...
06/05/2025
En Colombia, la m sica no suena de fondo: es el centro del escenario. Es el cora...
06/05/2025
At Spotify, we always seek ways to connect users with their next favorite podcas...
06/05/2025
Since Spotify's 2019 launch in India, the growth of the country's local ...
06/05/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
06/05/2025
Comscore Reports First Quarter 2025 ResultsRESTON, Va., May 6, 2025 Comscore, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOR), a trusted partner for planning, transacting and evaluating ...
06/05/2025
Live from Studio 1 at 7pm, Tuesday May 6
Iconic trad-fusion group K LA will be ...
06/05/2025
Rohde & Schwarz hosts RF Testing Innovations Forum 2025, helping design engineer...
06/05/2025
LONDON, UK, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the company s annual THINK event, IBM (NYSE: IBM) is unveiling new hybrid technologies that break down the long...
06/05/2025
Apple today introduced Tap to Pay on iPhone in Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland, enabling millio...
06/05/2025
Ahead of Pride Month, Apple is introducing a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Sport Band, watch face, and iPhone and iPad wallpaper to celebrate the strength and b...
06/05/2025
First episode airs this Friday at 8pm on RT One and RT Player with Doireann N Ghlac in presenting
Guests include Barry Murphy, Brooke Scullion, Bryan Dobso...
05/05/2025
As Europe gears up for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Spotify is celebrating the spirit of unity and musical legacy with a new series of Spotify Singles. Fiv...
05/05/2025
As part of the restructuring of its loss-making Carbon Fibers business unit, SGL Carbon has decided to close its production site in Lavradio (Portugal). Lavradi...
05/05/2025
Comscore Launches Certified Deal IDs in Magnite's SSP, Bringing Trusted Cont...
02/05/2025
Updated May 2: In a victory for consumers, artists, creators, and authors, Apple...
02/05/2025
Since 2022, Spotify and FC Barcelona have brought the worlds of music and footba...
02/05/2025
With more than 678 million users worldwide tuned in to Spotify, we're at the heart of music and culture. Our unrivaled global community of artists, songwrit...
02/05/2025
Data Communications Company has announced its partnership with IBM to modernise ...
02/05/2025
Comscore at the 20th Annual Needham Technology, Media, & Consumer Conference RESTON, Va., May 2 2025: Comscore (Nasdaq: SCOR), a trusted partner for planning, t...
02/05/2025
02 May 2025
VEON to release 1Q25 trading update on May 15, 2025 Dubai, May 2, 2025 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a global digital operator, today confirms that t...
02/05/2025
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2025 second quarter ended March 29, 2025. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $...
02/05/2025
Well-known faces pushed to their limits in Uncharted with Ray Goggins...
01/05/2025
As Tanzania approaches a pivotal election year marked by both promise and concern over the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on media, more than 300 journa...
01/05/2025
After four years of lectures, study sessions, exams, and parties, college senior...
01/05/2025
Prochazka knows the power of relationships, so it has always been important to him that ATEC Pro be renowned for more than just supplying great equipment. Becom...
01/05/2025
Munster and Connacht Football Finals onThe Sunday Game Live
Final two days of t...
01/05/2025
Voice actor and producer Mark Yoshimoto Nemcoff shares his first impressions of the DPA 2017 Shotgun Microphone, from real-world auditions to side-by-side compa...
01/05/2025
With my previous console, Freeman recalls, I always had to run a Waves server for EQ and compression, but when I switched to DiGiCo, I found it was such an op...
01/05/2025
Stream all episodes ofLook Who's Hangry from April 29
An RT Player Original in partnership with Heinz...
01/05/2025
Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!
T naiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and T...
At a time when Sudanese women journalists face unprecedented challenges, She Speaks Sudan has provided a critical platform for training, mentorship, and collaboration. Launched in 2024 by Thomson in partnership with the digital cultural multimedia platform and cross-cultural enterprise Andariya, the initiative has enabled 30 women journalists and civil society activists in exile to strengthen their approach to navigate crisis reporting, digital security and gender-sensitive storytelling.
