The After-math
By: Abubakr Osama
Tags: Protest, Sudan, Politics, Storytelling, Revolution

— A Post Revolution Follow Up —

Last I wrote on Medium, Sudan was amidst a revolution, one with uncertain outcomes but the feint possibility to change the course of history. Today I’m pleased to announce that the people of Sudan have taken a step forward towards achieving the goals of their revolution and have against all odds overcome their oppressors.

Flags raised during the national anthem outside the Sudanese Military Head Quarters.

A lot of events have transpired between today and 22nd of December 2018, it is for this reason that in this article we attempt to close the gap and continue our story.

Shortly after my last article, a series of protests erupted throughout Sudan, following the need for an organizational body, a coalition rose to meet the task, with the significant goal of coordinating the protests, the Sudanese Professional Association (SPA) was Mobilized, what followed was a more unified movement.

SPA banner

After several months of Protests, bloodshed and unrest, the unthinkable occurred, the protestors had managed to advance into the vicinity of the Military headquarters. Initially they were within the thousands but before the sun went down they had reached over a million, capitalizing on this opportunity and the sense of security provided by the military headquarters, a sit-in was arranged, in what would be one of the most pivotal moments throughout the movement.

Civilians outside the Sudanese Military Authority Captured by DW TV.

The Sit-in went on for nearly a week, with the government relentlessly trying to disperse the protestors and while this incurred the loss of countless lives the oppressor’s efforts were futile in the face of the will of the people, before finally it was announced that leadership of Sudan would be ceased by Lt.Gen Ibn Oaf, this announcement was not treated as a victory for the movement mostly due to the fact that this Gen was part of the old regime and thus the sit-in continued and the voices of protestors rose in opposition.

Lt.Gen Ibn Oaf Grabbed From SkyNews Grabbed from Sudan TV.

Less than a day later Lt.Gen Ibn Oaf made an announcement saying that he would step down from power and pass on temporary leadership to Lt.Gen Abdul-Fatah Al-Burhan, who in turn named Lt.Gen Hemieti as his 2nd in command, this was part of strategic move to rally the support of the Rapid Response Forces. This was a momentous moment for the Sudanese people, who viewed this not as a victory but as the long awaited recognition of their efforts and result of their sheer will.

Lt. Gen Al Burhan Appearing on TV for the first time as Head of the Transitional Government.

The sit-ins continued regardless of the change, with the protestors demanding a civilian led government rather than a military regime, less than a week later their calls to democracy were answered with a massacre that claimed the lives of over 200 people and painted the streets of the headquarters red.

Pictures following the Sudanese Military Headquarters Massacre.

This tragic turn of events infuriated the peaceful protestors, who responded with mass protests and nation wide strikes. While the government attempted to sway the protestors to abandon their goals through fear mongering their attempts were answered with further escalation from the oppositions side, after several weeks of unrest the military dictatorship had finally been crippled and decided to give in to the demands of the people, agreeing to a joint military-civilian transition council.

Sudan’s military, protest leaders sign landmark deal on civilian rule, image captured France24 news.

After a period of prolonged negotiations between the council members, the nationwide mourning for the loss of lives that occurred and the somehow relatively tranquil period that followed the announcement, the Council members were ready.

Finally arriving to a decision regarding the next course of action and announcing their choices for the transitional government’s cabinet, most notably naming former UN economist and acclaimed all star Abdulla Hamdok as Prime Minister of Sudan and with that announcement began the Era of Abdulla Hamdok and the Technocrat Government.

The path to this moment was littered with the corpses of those who believed in this revolution, those who died to achieve it.

It is for this reason that we choose to honor them, not just by mourning them but by continuing their legacy so that their deaths may not be in vain.

This victory was short lived, the real victory lies in achieving Justice for the Dead and a Better Life for the Living.