CNN’s Clarissa Ward and Team Held Captive by Militia in Darfur

In a harrowing account of danger and resilience, CNN correspondent Clarissa Ward has revealed that she and her reporting team were held captive by a militia for two days while covering the escalating civil war in Darfur, Sudan. The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with over 26 million people facing famine.

A Dangerous Assignment CNN’s Clarissa Ward and Team

At 44, Ward, a seasoned journalist, traveled to Sudan to report on the dire situation following the outbreak of war in April 2023 between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces. This conflict has led to widespread violence and a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with Darfur experiencing particularly brutal fighting.

Just hours after arriving in North Darfur, Ward, along with cameraman Scott McWhinnie and producer Brent Swails, found themselves in a precarious situation. They were detained by a militia led by a man known only as “the general” while trying to film in the town of Tawila, which is just 32 miles from the frontline of the war.

The Captivity Experience

As the crew was inside their vehicle, they were surrounded by armed fighters who aggressively demanded they stop filming. Tensions escalated when the general fired his weapon into the air, seemingly targeting a bird. “I was relieved that the gun wasn’t pointed at us but still disturbed by his erratic behavior,” Ward recalled in her report for CNN.

Invited to Tawila by the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW), the crew instead encountered a rival militia armed with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns. Their driver was taken away in chains, and Ward and her team were interrogated for three hours in a small, windowless room.

Pleading for Freedom

The situation was terrifying as they were then ordered to follow a convoy deeper into Darfur. Ward recounted how she pleaded with the general, reminding him of her role as a mother with three young children. A security chief reassured them, saying, “Don’t be frightened… We are human beings,” yet the threat loomed large that they could be held for years if they spoke about their captivity.

During their two days of confinement, Ward and her team were guarded by armed men, some of whom were as young as 14. Ward described the harsh conditions, sharing how she had to limit her food and water intake due to the lack of privacy. “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,” she reflected.

A Relieved Escape

Fortunately, after 48 hours, the general announced that they would be released, admitting, “We thought you were spies but now you can go home.” A wave of relief washed over Ward and her team as they were freed, exchanging smiles and handshakes with their captors. They posed for a photo at the edge of the area where they had been held captive, a bittersweet moment marking their release.

Despite their relief, the team never made it to their intended destination in Tawila. The conflict in Sudan continues to rage, with the UN estimating that over 20,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since the war began.

The Ongoing Crisis

As the situation in Sudan remains dire, with over 10 million people displaced and many fleeing to neighboring countries, the humanitarian crisis deepens. Ward’s experience underscores the risks journalists face in conflict zones while highlighting the urgent need for global attention and support for those affected by the violence.

Her brave reporting brings to light the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable danger, and serves as a reminder of the critical importance of journalism in revealing the truth about global crises.

other news

CNN’s Clarissa Ward and Team Held Captive by Militia in Darfur