The Roots of Revolution in Sudan: Successes, Setbacks, and the Path Forward
Channel: United States Institute of Peace
Date: 23/06/2022

Sudan’s 2019 revolution was a remarkable example of nonviolent action at work. Activists were organized and disciplined despite challenging circumstances, resulting in President Omar al-Bashir’s resignation. However, Sudan’s democratic transition has faltered in the years since Bashir’s downfall and is now threatened by the Sudanese military’s counterrevolutionary coup last fall. Though protesters quickly rallied in opposition to the military’s coup, they are increasingly divided over how to deal with the military. Notably, the Sudanese Professional Association — which has provided national-level revolutionary leadership — is now fractured over the issue. The result has been growing disillusionment with the transition process and resurgent societal divisions.

With Sudanese leaders trying to keep the revolution’s democratic visions alive, a recent USIP Special Report has revealed the 2019 revolution did not materialize overnight. Instead, it was based on years of determined civil society development in difficult conditions. Cultivating these civic spaces helped activists to sustain three key features of their nonviolent campaign: widespread mass participation, opposition unity under competent leadership, and nonviolent discipline. And while some of these qualities have visibly diminished since Bashir’s departure, these findings show that Sudanese civic leaders are no strangers to organizing in uncertain and tricky environments, offering hope for a democratic Sudan. 

On June 23, USIP hosted a discussion with Sudanese activists and scholars on how Sudanese civic leaders can learn from their earlier strengths as they recover from the 2021 coup — as well as what the path forward might hold for the pro-democracy movement in Sudan and their global allies.

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/roots-revolution-sudan-successes-setbacks-and-path-forward

Speakers:

Zahra Hayder
Sudanese Activist

Jawhara Kanu
Program Officer, U.S. Institute of Peace; Synergizing Nonviolent Action and Peacebuilding (SNAP) 

Marija Marovic 
Senior Advisor, Gisa Group

Muna Qurashi 
Program Manager, Sudan Commission for Social Security and Poverty Reduction

Matthew Cebul, moderator 
Research Officer, U.S. Institute of Peace

Connect with us!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=usinstituteofpeace

Twitter: https://twitter.com/USIP
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usinstituteofpeace/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usipeace/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-states-institute-of-peace
Newsletters: http://www.usip.org/sign-usip-updates
Podcasts: https://www.usip.org/podcasts 

The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to build local capacities to manage conflict peacefully. The Institute pursues its mission by linking research, policy, training, analysis and direct action to support those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world. Learn more about USIP: https://www.usip.org/about