The Ideological Warfare in Sudan

Prior to 3 June, there were two different realities in Sudan. The stubborn everyday Khartoum with its polluted air, crippling traffic and temperature hitting 40° C or higher, which during the holy month of Ramadan made fasting a true test of faith.

Then there was a small cleavage, tucked between the General Command Centre and Burri, a neighbourhood not too far from the Nile River. In the area known as Al Qeyada, in which whence trespassed beyond its perimeters, one is exposed to a world unrecognisable to those inhabiting the larger Khartoum; a microcosm of what the future Sudan looks like. To ensure the safety of protesters, every person was searched upon entrance. Doctors voluntarily provided free healthcare for all. Anyone was treated to a hot meal at iftar time (breaking fast) and during suhoor (starting fast). People offered free classes in languages, sciences and mathematics. Tents transformed into libraries, thanks to the efforts of the organisers and book donations. Political dissent of all kinds were expressed openly and without stigma. Chants of protesters reflect their political consciousness, while simultaneously maintaining their melodious and catchy rhythm. 

The ambiance of this microcosm was a concoction of different artwork, portraying the protesters’ emotions, spirits and losses through the medium of graffiti and street art. Walls that were once uncharacteristically white, muddied with dust and dirt were transformed into majestic works of art that will undoubtedly become woven into the tapestry of Sudanese history, commemorating the martyrs and the events that took place in Sudan this year. These markers display a way of history telling that is not dissimilar to the historic architecture, sculpture and carvings of Sudan’s Nubian ancestry. Allowing any that would hold gaze for long enough to tap into this momentaneous events in Sudanese history, a phenomenon that triggers an overwhelming sensation. A sensation that fills the eyes to the brim with tears, unable to break gaze, hearts heavy and sulking, stomachs contract and expand, and suddenly you are transcended to a reality once populated by those who gave their lives for the country.

This piece of concrete, that we transformed into our own quasi-utopia, is not without its flaws. Even after this, the wave of opportunity that swept us and dialog with the Transitional Military Council has begun, there remains concerns and scepticism. Chief among these are; the weaponisation of protestors’ indignation as a power grab tactic; the ideological warfare; marginalising the Sudanese people’s needs; and inheriting the historical political dialectic. 

In this cleavage, there are the hovering ideologues like vultures, arched backs and crooked shoulders, targeting those effected by the dire economic reality to try and sway protesters into a vengeful frenzy, or persuade them to conform to a certain ideology through sensationalism. One may be seated, feeling the naked flares of the sun on her forehead, a small price to pay to be part of a greater cause; the metamorphosis of Sudan. Suddenly, a looming figure approaches and tries to regurgitate sentiments that’s main cause is to convert. Through these efforts, the opinion of the people, the main reason for this protest becomes conflated into a perceived monolithic outrage that is then utilised as a weapon to try and gain political points, while simultaneously marginalising actual civilian wants and needs.

For instance, there is the corruption charges directed at certain political figure of the previous regime that have been put on hold, in its stead the debate is now on whether to change the constitution of the country or not. 

These conflating tactics lead to a greater ideological warfare, in which the country seems to be segregated into two fields; Islamists and Secularists. This is evident in the decision to link the new constitution to sharia foundations. After which, persons from both sides of the aisle showed their discontent, while the economy continues to suffer. The voices of the people truly suffering becomes muffled and this warfare is perpetuated and brought to the fore. The once unified indignation against economic woes, has now diverged to create two camps. All this while, bread prices seem to stagnate at an all time high, petrol remains unavailable to most and an experience of a precarious unemployment state is inevitable. To ask people to conform to either strand of politics and demonise those who choose ‘wrongly’ is truly elitist and disconnected. 

Since former Sudanese President Gaafar Nimeiry (1969–1985), this debate between Islamism and communism has been ubiquitous within Sudan. It seems that Sudan has been tormented by this toxic state of purgatory, indefinitely stuck in time. We, the new generation, have inherited a political clash that is not ours. However, these ideas seem to linger and drive a wedge between people. There are prominent organisations and individuals that seems to be concentrated on inflating the Islamist versus communist debate, a war championed by the previously mentioned vultures.

In the ‘New Sudan’, however; people from the left and the right of the political spectrum seem to engage openly about what they see as the best way forward for Sudan, allowing room for error and non-dogmatic aligning to an idea. In this small patch of land, the focus is on the betterment of Sudan, not ingroup alliances. 

However, today, the whole of Sudan and the Sudanese diaspora mourns the deaths of the protesters. On the early hours of Monday, 3 June, occupying the piece of land we call New Sudan, protests were dispersed with extreme prejudice; canes, whips and even live ammunitions were used. The death toll has reached at least 60 and over 100 are critically injured. On this day, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has emptied the mass sit-in at Al Qeyada, and are currently patrolling neighbourhoods to quash any protest attempts.

‘It’s a red Eid!’ one protester shouts. While most Muslim countries announced the first day of Eid Al Fitr to be on 4 June. Sudan has announced it will be on 5 June, it is doubtful that anyone is in a celebratory mood.

Now that the microcosm of a developed Sudan has been actualised, the Sudanese people are awake to the possibility and potential for Sudan. There are protest leaders and activists currently organising a nation-wide demonstration, learning from previous mistakes. Filtering out the nefarious elements that were planted in the previously New Sudan, and this time, no more military negotiations. With every drop of blood, a wave of indignation washes over Sudan, the coming protests will try and overwhelm the military council.

Currently residing in Khartoum and Nottingham, Mohamed Khougali is a person-centred psychotherapist and a Leftist activist. He occasionally writes articles on politics, psychology and history. He’s written for Mondoweiss, The Psychologist, The Canary, Middle East Monitor and others.