4 May 2024
Oct 29, 2021 by Samar Bengawi -

Sudan Prepares for ‘Millions March’ Against Military Coup

Artwork by Abu’Obayda Mohamed @oxdamoe

Tens of thousands of protesters are preparing for a Millions March on Saturday, 30 October 2021, protesting against the military coup, led by General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan.

In the early morning hours of 25 October 2021, Al Burhan sent joint military forces to detain Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and several other civilian members of the transitional Sovereign Council.

Shortly after that, the telecommunication services were disrupted, preventing civilians from calling, texting, or generally gaining internet access.

Later that morning, he made a televised statement, declaring a state of emergency, and announcing the dissolution of several items on the temporary de facto Constitution of Sudan or Draft Constitutional Declaration, which dissolves the ruling transitional Sovereign Council amongst other things. In addition, he announced a new council will be formed by November 2021, and democratic elections will take place in 2023.

Following the events of that morning, protesters took to the streets all over Sudan demanding the transition to civilian and democratic rule. Men and women of all ages took part in the protests throughout the day and into the night. Some making it to the military headquarters, the site of the 2019 sit-in and massacre. Protesters also spent most of the day barricading major and minor streets, to protect civilians from military vehicles and forces. However, many of these peaceful protests were met with violence and resistance from military forces. Teargas and live ammunition were fired at peaceful protesters. Home and student dorms were invaded. Arrests, beatings, and shootings were made, some of which resulted in civilian deaths. To date, at least eight people have been killed and more than 80 injured.

By the end of the day, protesters all over Sudan were in agreement that the next step should be a complete civil disobedience until the peaceful transition to civilian rule. They also announced a Millions March to be held on 30 October 2021. Despite the unavailability of any methods of communication, the Sudanese people found a way to spread the word: going out on smaller, promotional marches in different cities, using mosque minarets to announce it within neighbourhoods, making flyers, and holding resistance committee meetings.

The following day, on 26 March 2021, Al Burhan made another televised statement, stating that the arrests and the takeover were made to ensure peace, as he believed the country was on the verge of a civil war. He added that Hamdok is safe and secure at Al Burhan’s home. News reports say Al Burhan and his wife are now under house arrest in their own home. Al Burhan added that the civilian members of the Sovereign Council, who were arrested, will either be freed or taken to trial.

Throughout the days following the military coup, civilians in Sudan continued to spread the word and share updates whenever the communication services allowed it. People in the capital and in different states continued with the civil disobedience movement, posting photos and videos on social media documenting the empty streets and closed shops. Protests promoting the Millions March continued throughout this period.

Coinciding protests will take place by the Sudanese Diaspora in their respective countries such as the US, the UK and Canada.

Samar Bengawi can be summed up in one word: workaholic. Born and raised in the UAE, and now based in Sudan. A medical student with a strong passion for words and music. You’ll always find her between the pages of a book, or near a cup of tea. She considers herself a patriotic and aspiring activist whose only hope is to leave a memorable mark in the world. 

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