...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...'s capital controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and is demanding a ransom for his release, the Sudanese journalists' union said on Sunday.
The union said Alaa El-Din Abu Harba was taken from his home in east Khartoum on Friday.
It said the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of 1 million Sudanese pounds ($365) and after receiving it were now demanding a further billion pounds.
"One million Sudanese pounds!"
"Yeah. Okay, Doctor Evil. We can swing that!"
"Oh, sorry! I meant a billion! With a 'b'!"
''This puts the life of Abu Harba in grave danger,'' the union said in a statement, holding the RSF responsible for his safety.
The RSF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
There has been widespread lawlessness in the capital since war broke out in Sudan in April between the army and the RSF.
The journalists' union has recorded 438 violations against journalists since the conflict began, including four killings.
Earlier this month, another journalist in east Khartoum, Abdel Rahman Hanin, had his home raided by an gang who looted valuables and cash, the union said.
The men terrorized Hanin's wife and children and stole laptops, mobile phones, cash and gold jewellery, it added.