Sudan’s people have fought tirelessly towards a new dawn. Grouping since last December to protest high prices of basic needs such as bread, government inaction, brutality, injustices and oppression, they eventually won a battle on Thursday, with the crumbling of the 30-year reign of President Omar-al-Bashir being the ultimate prize.
With a national crackdown on media coverage and the international community’s relative silence on the unrest due to Bashir’s strategic regional alliances, there has been an overwhelming support in various forms from Sudanese people living in the diaspora.
From America and Europe to the Middle East and Australia – unity and camaraderie have been cited as an essential part of the movement’s success in ousting Bashir, who is now being detained and faces charges at home, according to the military.
“I’m very glad that my photo let people around the world know about the revolution in Sudan…Since the beginning of the uprising I have been going out every day and participating in the demonstrations because my parents raised me to love our home.” Alaa Salah, protest leader that had become famous for charging people at Khartoum’s protest venue told The Guardian after her pictures went viral on the Internet. The sharing of such photos were made viral mostly by Sudanese professionals in the diaspora, leading to more focus on the protests by international news outlets.
Thousands of dollars had been raised in support of those in need of medical attention following injuries at the hands of Bashir’s government since the protest began, media reports said.
Protest action as well as lobby groups advocating for foreign action in Sudan, such as that of the Sudanese-Americans for Nonviolent Demonstration’s pressure on the US to act, are examples of some of the strategies employed by those in the diaspora.
Ola Diab is a Sudanese journalist who has been living in Qatar for over
20 years but has taken it upon herself to write extensively about the developments in the country of her birth, founding a digital magazine to this end and dedicating much of her voice to this cause.
“Yes, Sudan is in crisis – politically and economically – but so are a lot of other countries in the world – some are even going through worse.
But that doesn’t mean we should give up and search for a home somewhere else.” Diab had said in an article that she penned six years ago.
The likes of Sarah Abdeljalil, a physician based in London, took a more literal approach, agitating towards action on the ground in Sudan. She, along with her adhoc trade union, the Sudanese Professionals Association, were among those who organised the movement from within and stood firmly with the people.
The union was considered by regime apparatchiks as ‘the greatest threat to Bashir’s presidency’ and have, indeed, proven this to be true.
Other Sudanese voices that have contributed to the revolution include Bakri Ali of the University of Khartoum’s Alumni Association who raised thousands in support of those in need of medical attention and many others who, even through the sharing of information on social media, have spoke truth to power and shown solidarity to their counterparts in the thick of it all.
“Do for Sudan what it’s not doing for itself or us – it may take decades – but we will see a better Sudan one day.” Diab had said in her article.
It seems the dawn of the new day she envisioned may be in sight as protesters have sought the military’s exit and constitution of an interim civillian government to organise elections.
SPA’s Abdeljalil doesn’t seem convinced yet. Speaking to VOA, she had this to say about the military takeover announced by Sudan’s Defence Minister Awad Ibn Auf, following the removal of Bashir from office onThursday:
“This is just the continuation of the same regime… we will not be fooled. The uprising will continue.” Abdeljalil said of the Auf-led military transition council.
Her voice, and that of others, have now gained ground as General Auf went on to resign his position as head of Sudan’s military transition council on Friday, a day after taking over the reins of power. He announced Lieutenant General Abdul Fatah Burhan, an Armed Forces’ Inspector, as the interim head of state to chair the military transition council and prepare the country for elections and rebirth.