Sudan's most popular daily back after ban

04 Nov, 2013

Sudan's most popular newspaper, run by President Omar al-Bashir's uncle, returned to the streets Sunday after a month-long closure ordered by state security agents during fuel-price protests. "Thanks be to God. We are back," read the headline on a column written by Al-Intibaha boss Al-Tayeb Mustafa.
The paper had been closed since late September after the government slashed fuel subsidies, pushing up prices at the pump by more than 60 percent. The decision sparked the worst urban unrest of Bashir's 24-year rule with dozens killed and hundreds detained.
Journalists complained that censorship intensified during the demonstrations.
The Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based watchdog, said Sudan was using "censorship and intimidation" in an effort to make reporters stick to the official line about the protests.

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