DONGOLA – A court in Sudan’s Northern State has sentenced prominent physician and activist Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Khidr, popularly known as Ahmed Shafa, to two years and one month in prison and fined him 2 million Sudanese pounds after finding him guilty in a case brought by the Al-Baraa Ibn Malik militia, an Islamist-linked armed group.
The verdict was issued by a court in Dongola, the capital of Northern State, following legal proceedings in which Shafa was accused of insulting the “martyrs” of Sudan’s ongoing war. The complaint was filed by members of the Al-Baraa Ibn Malik militia, a group that has fought alongside the Sudanese Armed Forces during the conflict.
According to court documents and local media reports, the case centered on public statements attributed to Shafa that were alleged to have offended the memory of fighters and civilians killed during the war. Supporters of the complaint argued that his remarks disrespected those who had lost their lives in defense of the country.
Shafa’s supporters, however, have criticized the prosecution, arguing that the case raises concerns about freedom of expression and the shrinking space for public debate in wartime Sudan. Human rights advocates have increasingly warned that journalists, activists, and public figures face growing pressure and legal risks when expressing views on the conflict or criticizing armed actors.
The ruling comes as Sudan continues to face one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Since fighting erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), tens of thousands of people have been killed, millions displaced, and large parts of the country devastated by violence, economic collapse, and shortages of essential services.
The Al-Baraa Ibn Malik militia has emerged as one of several armed groups involved in the conflict and has been closely associated with Islamist currents that support the Sudanese military. The group has played a visible role in battles against the RSF in several parts of the country.
There was no immediate reaction from Sudanese authorities, while it remained unclear whether Shafa’s legal team would appeal the verdict. The case is expected to fuel further debate over civil liberties, accountability, and the role of armed groups in Sudan’s wartime political landscape.
