On 9 April 2026, the Ministry of Culture and Information (MOCI) has announced that it has suspended private broadcaster Sudania 24 (S24) and withdrawn its licenses. The move follows accusations of inciting tribal tensions and fuelling hate speech regarding displaced persons in Northern State.
This follows shortly after S24 issued an official statement of clarification and apology to the public on 8 April 2026:
The letter translates to:
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
To our valued audience inside and outside Sudan,
Statement of Clarification and Apology
Sudania 24 Channel affirms its full commitment to providing professional media content that places Sudan’s interests and stability above all else. In light of the recent discussions regarding observations made about the media content, we wish to emphasise the following:
First: Commitment to National Principles
The channel renews its strict adherence to all media ethics and the Charter of Honour for the media profession. We are fully aware of the sensitivity of the period the country is going through, and therefore affirm our complete rejection of anything that may disturb social peace, provoke racist or regional tensions, or spread hate speech in any form.
Second: Apology and Correction of Course
At Sudania 24, we respect the regulatory decisions issued by the Ministry of Information and stress our commitment to addressing any shortcomings that may have led to misunderstanding. Our goal is to preserve national unity and avoid content that may encourage tribal divisions or threaten civil peace. Accordingly, Sudania 24 apologizes for the previously published report shared on its official pages.
Third: Returning to Serve the Nation
The channel is currently preparing to resume operations from within Sudan, in coordination with the rest of the nation’s institutions, to formulate media messaging that reflects the concerns of the Sudanese people and supports their aspirations toward stability and reconstruction, especially after the forced halt caused by the war conditions since April 2023.
We thank you for your continued trust, and assure you that Sudania 24 remains “a screen for everyone,” reflecting the bright face of Sudan and calling for its unity and territorial integrity.
However, regardless of S24’s public letter, the Ministry will proceed with its decision to indefinitely shut down S24.
The Ministry has also decided to halt any unlicensed broadcasting or media activity within Sudan, along with revoking all expired and unrenewed operating licenses held by the channel, according to a statement issued by the Ministry’s press office.
Additionally, the work permits of the channel’s correspondents inside the country have been suspended pending license renewal, and the channel must submit a binding pledge not to repeat such violations.
S24 was among more than 20 Sudanese television channels broadcasting to a population of over 40 million people, as well as to the Sudanese diaspora worldwide. Established in 2016, S24 became a leading broadcaster of news, sports, current affairs, and entertainment in Sudan. Its Arabic-language programming features contemporary content, high-quality visuals, broad coverage, and in-depth analysis. Prioritising issues that affect people’s livelihoods, 30% of the channel’s airtime is dedicated to economic affairs, with hourly updates on local economic developments. The remainder of its airtime is divided between entertainment, sports, and news. S24 also kept pace with international broadcasting trends by airing 20% of its content live and leveraging social media platforms to maximise viewer engagement and expand its audience.
For more information, visit the MOCI’s website.
