24 November 2024
Dec 25, 2018 by Yousra Khalil -

Sudan’s Protests Enter Seventh Day

Thousands have taken to the streets of Sudan, demanding an end to Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir’s 30-year military dictatorship.

Shortages and steep increase in prices of basic commodities such as bread and fuel triggered the protests, which erupted on 19 December, following a series of failures by the government over the past three decades.

Protests began in Atbara and sparked a revolution that has spread across Sudan and beyond, with demonstrations taking place from Sudan to Paris, London to Washington, DC. 

More than a dozen people been killed during the peaceful protests. Sudanese people, at home and in the diaspora, have continued to amplify their struggles in defiance to Al Bashir’s decades long rule. In a clear act of resistance, football fans marched outside Al Hilal Stadium in Omdurman on Sunday 23 December during a friendly match between local club Al Hilal, and a Tunisian team, beating them 1-0 in the African Champions League. 

While inside the stadium, retired players Haytham Mustafa and Faisal Al Agab of Al Hilal FC called on audience members to chant revolutionary slogans demanding on Al Bashir and his regime to step down. Protesters can be heard chanting, ‘The people want to bring down the regime’ – a popular revolutionary slogan heard during the Arab Spring.  

In retaliation, police forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse football fans. Despite the government’s heavy crackdown on protests, videos and pictures of protestors in Omdurman were circulated on social media platforms. Football spectators assembled outside the stadium where they were joined by more protestors marching through Al ‘Ardha street, one of Omdurman’s main roads.

To gain further momentum, Al Agab later tweeted urging Sudanese activists to mobilise after the match, which was scheduled for the following day in Khartoum.

There are no official reports on the exact number of casualties among demonstrators when they clashed with law enforcement. However, it is believed that at least 20 have been killed since the protests began on 19 December. The numbers are likely to rise.

There have been reports of Rapid Support Forces being deployed in Khartoum to put an end to the protests.

Doctors in Sudan have joined the protests on Monday 24 December by refusing to work. However, they would continue to deal with emergencies as the deadly protests entered the sixth day.

Now on its seventh day, Sudan’s protests continue to show no signs of slowing down. The Sudanese Professionals Association, an umbrella coalition for professional unions, called for a march on Tuesday 25 December at 1 pm from Abu Janzir Square in central Khartoum towards the presidential palace, to demand the immediate step down of Al Bashir, who already promises reforms.

An aspiring peacemaker, Yousra Khalil graduated with an M.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in peace and conflict resolution from the George Washington University. When she’s not working on countering violent extremism, she enjoys trivia, naps, travelling, memes, and good food. Currently based in Washington, DC, Yousra splits her time between the US, Qatar and Sudan. 

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Dec 24, 2018

Dec 27, 2018
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  • luo.la
    27 December 2018 at 2:16 am - Reply

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