Sudan Revolution 101-Part 2
June 11,
2019 -- the third day of national Civil Disobedience (CD) held up in Khartoum
and other major cities, with more automobile traffic for emergencies and pressing
needs – giving birth, getting food, ATM cash withdrawals, and so on.
Meanwhile,
the Transitional Military Council (TMC) is overseeing an extensive nationwide
campaign of murder and destruction – genocidal killings have resumed in Darfur;
yesterday a horde ransacked the University of Khartoum Medical College, tearing
up documents, and bashing computers and lab equipment.
The Forces for
Freedom and Change (FFC) planned for CD to go on for as long as long it takes. If
this is to be sustained, Sudanese people inside will need tremendous support
and knowledge that the world has not forgotten them. They will need not mere solidarity,
but substantial material support to shore them up while their sources of livelihood
are on hold. At the same time, FFC must move more quickly to announce a
civilian government, at least a Cabinet that is ready to take over and begin
the daunting task of rehabilitating all systems of administration. Yet, there is
the legitimate concern that announcing the names of an opposition government could
mean a death sentence to all members. In all events, FFC has some difficult
calculations to make.
The Sudanese Diaspora
is feverishly working to coordinate support. This past Saturday’s rally in
Washington DC brought families from around the country, including California,
Florida, and Texas. Different US based organizations such as the Sudanese
American Public Affairs Association and Sudanese Revolution support groups
across the US, Europe, and beyond, are in constant strategy discussions and calls
for action.
These efforts help to
raise awareness and nurture those on the ground, but ending the organized violence
against protestors and ordinary people requires intervention by regional and major
international players. Since the AU suspended Sudan’s membership after the
massacre, the only significant initiative taken has been the mediation by the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, who visited last week
and met with FFC and TMC (separately). Abiy is currently one of Africa’s most
prominent political leaders, having brokered a peace deal with Eritrea against
many odds. Unfortunately, his initial gesture was insultingly rebuffed. As soon
as he left Khartoum, TMC arrested three opposition leaders. In the latest
news, after another round of mediation, FFC has agreed to suspend the
Disobedience, in return for the release of political prisoners among other
concessions. The two sides are said to be making progress toward forming a
transitional government. (Reuters https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN1TC0OB-OZATP).
Tibor Nagy, the
US Assistant Secretary for Africa, is due to arrive in Khartoum soon to “call
for a cessation of attacks against civilians” (BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48590148).
Many thorny issues await
resolution, the most crucial is to contain paramilitaries and neutralize Basheer’s
Congress Party operatives who still roam the streets, sowing misinformation and
doubts about the opposition. Will these two interventions succeed? Will the
axis of doom in SA, UAE and Egypt leave the Sudanese people alone? It’s not clear how hopeful one can be, but hope and the
conviction that this is an existential battle for the Sudan as a country is behind
The Revolution, and its chant Silmiya, Silmiya in the face of
deadly terror. #Sudan_uprising.
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