Sudan’s Independence Day — A March to the Downfall of the Regime

The first day of the new year marks Sudan’s Independence Day, which is celebrated as a national holiday with elaborate festivities across Sudan.

On 1 January 1956, Sudan gained its independence from the British ruling, coinciding Sudan’s Independence Day with the first day of the new year. This coincidence was to later become the reason why celebrating New Year’s holds a deeper meaning to Sudanese people. 

This year however, Sudan chose to not celebrate its 63rd year of independence nor the New Year, and instead peacefully march against the military dictatorship of President Omar Al Bashir, who has been ruling the country for three decades, and his regime.

Organised by the Sudanese Professionals Association, an umbrella coalition for professional unions, ‘The March for Pride’ begins on 31 December at 1 pm from Al-Qandool roundabout, heading towards the Republican Palace to demand the immediate step down of Al Bashir while singing revolutionary songs and chanting, ‘freedom, peace, justice and the downfall of the regime.’

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The march along with peaceful protests in all the other cities in Khartoum is ought to last all through New Year’s Eve until the next morning of New Year’s Day and Sudan’s Independence Day. This march is anticipated to be the second largest march of the current Sudanese uprising, which began on 19 December.

Khalid Ewais, a Sudanese news producer for Al-Arabiya, tweeted saying:

‘For the first time, the Sudanese at home and abroad completely forget about the new year and its manifestations and are instead wrapped around (the wedding of the nation) on its Independence Day.’

لأول مرة، السودانيون في الداخل والخارج ينسون تماماً رأس السنة ومظاهر الاحتفال بها، ويلتفون حول (عرس الوطن) في عيد استقلاله. #مدن_السودان_تنتفض#موكب_٣١ديسمبر

— خالد عويس KHALID EWAIS (@khalidewais) December 30, 2018

Rofaida Yassin, a Sudanese senior reporter at Middle East Broadcasting Centre, tweeted a picture of a document issued by professors at the University of Khartoum, saying:

‘Professors at the University of khartoum issue a statement demanding the unconditional resignation of al-Bashir, the dissolution of his government, the handing over of power to a transitional government, the cessation of killing and intimidation, the suspension of racist statements against Darfurians, the release of political prisoners and the guarantee of safety of civilians in accordance with the statement.’

أساتذة في جامعة #الخرطوم يصدرون بيانا يطالبون فيه بالتنحي غير المشروط للبشير وحل حكومته وتسليم السلطة لحكومة انتقالية والتوقف عن القتل والترهيب وإيقاف التصريحات العنصرية ضد أبناء دارفور وإطلاق سراح المعتقلين السياسيين وضمان سلامة #موكب_31ديسمبر وفق البيان #مدن_السودان_تنتفض pic.twitter.com/IZ0s5uKpzC

— رفيدة ياسين (@Rofaidayassin) December 30, 2018

Also organised by the Sudanese Professionals Association, the first march was ‘The March of Martyrs’, which took place on 25 December with thousands of protesters took to the streets from Abu Janzir Square in central Khartoum towards the presidential palace, to demand the immediate step down of Al Bashir. However, due to the heavy security measures and pressure, protesters were unable to reach the presidential palace. There are already reports of heavy security in downtown Khartoum.

Military, police and security trucks parked up all around Al-Qandoul roundabout. A familiar face ushered our car to pass through – a high-ranking police officer whose photo was shared during the September 2013 protests for aggressively beating protesters.

— Yousra Elbagir (@YousraElbagir) December 31, 2018

Heavy security pressure in downtown Khartoum in response to Sudanese Professionals’ Association call for procession toward Republican Palace today, journalists on the ground say #Sudan

— Isma'il Kushkush (@ikushkush) December 31, 2018

Protests in Sudan erupted on 19 December triggered by shortages and the steep increase in prices of basic commodities such as bread and fuel. Doctors, journalists and lawyers have recently gone on strike in Sudan. The protests are being referred to as a revolution, an uprising or even a late Arab Spring movement.

The question still remains: Will the people of Sudan enter the New Year with more martyrs or the downfall of the regime?

Afnan Hassab describes herself as your typical dreamy millennial. A 22-year-old surgeon-in-the-making by morning and a struggling writer and blogger, by night. Dedicated humanitarian, unwavering feminist, relentless debater, obsessive cleaner and a coffee addict among other things. Born and raised in Jeddah, KSA. Went to college in Sudan. Based somewhere between these two countries and more.