CNN’s chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward and her team faced a harrowing 48-hour detention by a North Darfur militia while reporting on Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.
At a Glance
- CNN’s Clarissa Ward and crew were held captive for 48 hours by a North Darfur militia
- The team was attempting to interview refugees in Tawila, a neutral town in Sudan’s civil war
- They were accused of being spies and interrogated under armed guard
- The incident highlights the dangers of reporting in conflict zones and the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Sudan
Dangerous Journalism in Conflict Zones
In a stark reminder of the perils journalists face in conflict zones, CNN’s chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward and her team endured a harrowing 48-hour detention by a militia in North Darfur this October. Ward, accompanied by cameraman Scott McWhinnie and producer Brent Swails, was attempting to report on the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan when their mission took a dangerous turn.
The crew’s ordeal began as they tried to access Tawila, a town controlled by SLM-AW, a neutral faction in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. Their goal was to interview refugees and shed light on the humanitarian crisis affecting millions. However, their journalistic endeavor was abruptly halted when they were apprehended by a militia led by a man referred to as the “general.”
Accusations and Interrogations
The militia, suspecting the CNN team of espionage, subjected them to rigorous questioning. Ward recounted the tense situation, stating, “We answered their questions but got no information in return: who these men were or what they wanted with us.”
This lack of clarity about their captors’ identities or intentions only added to the team’s distress.
“We answered their questions but got no information in return: who these men were or what they wanted with us,” Ward also said.
The conditions of their detention were far from comfortable. Ward described the challenging circumstances, stating, “For the next 48 hours, we were held under armed guard by the general, the security chief and roughly a dozen soldiers, some who looked no older than 14. Our detention was spent out in the open, underneath acacia trees. As the only woman, and with no private space to relieve myself, I limited my water and food intake. Sleep, when it came, was a mercy, a reprieve from the clawing sense of panic at not knowing when I would be able to see my children again.”
A Tense Resolution
The situation took an even more concerning turn when a militia member contacted the captives’ partners, informing them of their safety but issuing a chilling warning against speaking about the situation. This communication, made from thousands of miles away in Port Sudan, highlighted the far-reaching influence of these armed groups.
“We thought you were spies but now you can go home,” the general reportedly told them.
After approximately 48 hours of uncertainty, the general and security chief informed the CNN team of their impending release. The ordeal concluded with Ward and McWhinnie posing for a photograph with the security chief before their departure. While relieved to be free, the incident underscored the complex and volatile nature of reporting in conflict zones like Darfur.
This incident brings to light the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has led to intense fighting in Darfur, resulting in an estimated 20,000 deaths and thousands of injuries. The situation has created a dire need for humanitarian aid, with over 26 million people affected by the civil war.
Ward’s experience, while harrowing, serves as a powerful illustration of the challenges faced by journalists attempting to bring attention to forgotten conflicts and humanitarian crises. It also highlights the urgent need for international attention and aid in Sudan, where millions continue to suffer amidst ongoing violence and instability.
