Radio Dabanga, an exile-run station based in Amsterdam, reduced its morning broadcast schedule earlier this year due to budget shortfalls. This operational change prompted responses from Sudanese listeners who stated their reliance on the station as a source of information regarding events in Sudan.
Radio Dabanga's Role
Established in 2008, Radio Dabanga operates from Amsterdam, approximately 3,000 miles from Sudan. It functions as an independent Sudanese news source, providing information to a Sudanese population affected by ongoing civil conflict.
Funding Reductions and Operational Impact
U.S. foreign assistance programs, which previously constituted over half of Radio Dabanga's nearly $3 million budget, were reduced earlier this year. This led to the station implementing staff reductions, decreasing freelancer engagements, and temporarily suspending its morning news service. Editor-in-chief Kamal Elsadig reported that listeners inquired about the broadcast interruption.
Information Landscape in Sudan
Sudan is experiencing a civil war that began in 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. This conflict has resulted in an estimated 150,000 deaths and displaced approximately 14 million Sudanese, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. Data collection is challenging amidst ongoing fighting and food insecurity. Access to information within Sudan is limited, with reports from Free Press Unlimited indicating that around 90% of media infrastructure has been destroyed and over 400 journalists have departed the country. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports more than a dozen journalists and media workers have been killed or abducted.
From its Amsterdam location, Radio Dabanga reports on conflict zones, disease outbreaks in refugee camps, and the aftermath of events in Sudanese cities such as el-Fasher.
Historical Context
Kamal Elsadig founded Radio Dabanga in 2008 to serve Darfur, a region in western Sudan. The Darfur conflict in 2003-2004 involved government-backed Arab Janjaweed militia and African ethnic groups. This period was designated as genocide by the U.S. government and human rights organizations. In October, the International Criminal Court convicted Ali Muhammad Ali Abd–Al-Rahman, a Janjaweed leader, of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Rapid Support Forces are reported to have evolved from the Janjaweed and face accusations of mass killings, sexual violence, and starvation sieges in western and central Sudan.
Fundraising Initiatives
An event was held in Amsterdam to raise funds for Radio Dabanga. Jean-Pierre Fisher, co-founder of Marimba Amsterdam, an organization focusing on the city's African diaspora, organized a fundraiser during the Amsterdam Dance Event. The event featured a panel discussion with a Radio Dabanga reporter, activists, and Marimba co-founders, addressing the situation in Sudan and the station's operational needs.
Attendees included Sudanese sisters Maaza and Amany Altareeh, who reside in the Netherlands as asylum seekers. They expressed challenges in communicating with family in Sudan due to communication network disruptions. Maaza Altareeh stated her reliance on Radio Dabanga for verified news amid unreliable social media information.
Financial Outlook
The fundraising event generated several thousand dollars. Radio Dabanga faces an approximate budget shortfall of $1.5 million, with current funding projected to expire in April. While the station's online website may continue operations, editor-in-chief Elsadig noted that most Sudanese listeners depend on radio broadcasts. He stated concerns regarding potential information deprivation for Sudanese citizens during the conflict should the radio service cease.