KHARTOUM - Sudanese security forces banned an independent newspaper from publishing its Sunday edition, its editor said, in the latest crackdown against media in the African country. Sudan's constitution guarantees press freedom but journalists complain of increasing pressure since South Sudan became independent in July. Some reporters say they avoid writing critically about sensitive issues such as an economic crisis or violence in northern border states. Security forces closed the independent al-Jarida daily last month and on several occasions have confiscated editions of other newspapers in the past few months, according to editors. On Sunday, the independent Alwan newspaper said security forces arrived last night and banned the daily from distributing its Sunday edition. "They told us the edition would be confiscated. Until now I have no ideas why they did that. I think they just want put pressure on the publisher," editor Ahmed Younis said. Sudan's security forces were not immediately available to comment. In July, two female journalists were sentenced to one month in prison for writing about an alleged rape case.
