HISTORIC SUCCESS OF SUDANESE PEOPLE
On the 17th of August 2019, it was a historic moment for the 4.22 billion Sudanese people, when Sudan’s main opposition coalition signed a final power-sharing deal with the ruling Military Council for a three-year transitional period leading towards a civilian-led government. It was indeed a victorious moment for the Sudanese people, who have sacrificed hundreds of lives to overthrow the 30-year-ruling of the evil dictator President Omar al-Bashir on the 11th of April 2019.
Imagine the plight of the Sudanese people, who had endured 30 long years of suppression under the corrupt evil dictator. The world witnessed one of the most successful demonstrations by the people, who took to streets to voice their unhappiness over their struggle for survival with high cost of living, rampant corruption and iron-fist ruling of the government. It is also fascinating to note that the reason for discontentment of the Sudanese people broke their limit of resilience, when the government raised the price of ‘bread’ by 300% in Atbara.
A new history was and is being written in the world. The path towards this historic moment started from the River Nile State city Atbara in the Northeastern region of Sudan on the 19th of December 2018. “Tasgot bas” – the Arabic phrase was used by the Sudanese people to unite in solidarity against the mighty evil dictator. The Arabic phrase means “Just fall, that’s all” in English.
From Atbara, the people’s power spread to Port Sudan, Dongola and the capital city of Khartoum. In less than 4 months, President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in a military coup d'état. He was taken into custody and pushed behind the bars. Johnny D elucidates the successful journey of the Sudanese people and Sudan’s future.
The dethroned dictator’s trial over corruption will commence from the 19th of August 2019. He will be indicted for possessing foreign currency, corruption and receiving gifts illegally. The dethroned President Omar al-Bashir is also wanted by the ICC – International Criminal Court for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur. All the power, greed and corruption of 30 long years had led the 75-year-old Omar al-Bashir in jail for the rest of his life. Fascinating indeed!
A NEW BEGINNING:
The 17th of August 2019 marks a new dawn in Sudan. Thousands of Sudanese people celebrated the moment with smiles on their faces after 30 long years. The FFC – Forces of Freedom and Change has nominated renowned Sudanese Economist Abdalla Hamdok as Sudan’s new Prime Minister. He will be formally appointed on the 20th of August 2019 and sworn in the next very day. The Economist was chosen by the coalition parties to lead the way for a better future with his international experience and expertise to guide the economy.
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok will lead the 10-member Sovereign Council. According to the signed deal, 5 members each from the FFC and the TMC – Transitional Military Council will form the Sovereign Council to govern the nation towards a better future for the next three years’ transitional period.
Aisha Mousa, Siddig Tower, Mohamed Elfaki Suleiman, Hassan Sheikh Idris and Taha Othman Ishaq have been chosen by the FFC. The TMC will be led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Deputy General Mohamed Hamdam Dagalo and Lieutenant General Yasser al-Atta.
African Union Mohamed Hassan Lebatt and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed played their significant roles to bring the FFC and the TMC to sign the landmark deal. Ahmed al-Rabie represented the Alliance for Freedom and Change umbrella group, while TMC was represented by Deputy General Mohamed Hamdam Dagalo. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, Head of States, Prime Ministers and dignitaries from various nations attended the ceremony in Khartoum with great hope and optimism.
The TMC will head the 11-member Council for the first 21 months. Thereafter, for the next 18 months, the FFC will head the Council before the election will be held. As per the agreement, the 11-member Council will establish a Cabinet, which will be appointed by the activists and a Legislative body. An independent investigation into the crackdown on protestors by the Security Forces and killings of 100 plus people will be probed for accountability of the heinous crimes during the sit-in outside the Military Headquarters in Khartoum.
The Capital city of Khartoum had a happy festivity ambience with thousands of Sudanese people from many provinces gathering in main gardens singing and dancing in joy. It certainly was a great victory celebration of people’s power. Men, women, children, young and old dancing to rejoice their hard fought victory. Everybody hopes their country can move forward towards a better future, so every single of them can be proud of their achievement. Peace and freedom is all, the people of Sudan are aspiring for. Guns should go silent now.
BIGGER CHALLENGES AHEAD:
The 11-member Sovereign Council will have to take one step at a time to face the bigger challenges ahead. The work at hand is just beginning. It is a Herculean task to bring necessary and mandatory changes for a better future ahead. There are two sides to the story – skeptical and hopeful. While many are hopefuls and excited, many are cautious and optimistic. Things will change slowly and steadily, and not drastically like magic tricks. So, patience will be the key.
The eroded economy will take its time to bounce back and this will be the most significant part of the whole governance. How the TMC will fare in the first 21 months? The world will be watching with great skepticism and optimism.
WOMEN’S SIGNIFICANT ROLE:
Sudanese women played a very significant role during the four months of protest. They outnumbered the men and were vociferous during the march. They not only became target of the al-Bashir’s military, but also faced wrath of their fathers and husbands. Intelligence officer were ordered to ‘break the girls’. They were assaulted, targeted and beaten mercilessly by the army, yet, they returned on the streets shoulder-to-shoulder with the men to fight against all odds.
President Omar al-Bashir’s army captured them during the protests and to shame and blackmail them, clicked their naked pictures to stop the women. This heinous act created a ripple effect in their homes too. Husbands and father started hitting and ordered them to stay at home. ‘Tasgot bas’ was all the women chanted with much louder decibel. They returned on the streets time and again. They constituted nearly 70% of the protestors, picking tear gas canisters and throwing back at the military.
They climbed atop car roofs and urge the protestors to keep going. They helped in food and water stalls to serve the crowd. The Sudanese women’s significant role in overthrowing the 30-year-ruling dictator is truly inspiring. They were everywhere and fearless in large numbers. It was reported in media that nearly 15 women were raped during the protests by army soldiers. The oppression made the women much stronger rather than weak.
One woman revealed, “We are oppressed at home, oppressed on the street, at University, work and on public transport. All of these things made the girls go out to demonstrate on the street. The oppression is what moves you, meaning that it motivates you.” The women were not intimidated by army’s threats and ill-treatment, instead, their courage increased multifold. Girls in their teens were returning on the streets again and again. It was a do-or-die effort of every single individual, which has paved a new beginning for Sudan and its people.
The bravery of women was simply infectious for men. Demonstrators chanted ‘Rise up, the revolution is a woman’. Their bravery not only encouraged the men, but also made the men to stand their grounds to face the brunt of the army’s brutal assaults. The women were referred as “Kandaka”. It is the title, which was given to the ‘Nubian Queens of ancient Sudan, whose gift to their descendants is a legacy of empowered women, who fought hard for their country and their rights’.
Omar al-Bashir’s atrocities against women opened eyes of the military, who realized it was time for al-Bashir to go. They finally stood to protect the protestors and ultimately overthrew the President in a coup d'état. Omar al-Bashir is languishing in the maximum-security Kober prison, which is notorious for keeping political prisoners during his 30-year dictatorship.
The world must take inspiration from the Sudanese people, who gave their precious lives to achieve one of the most historic successes of all time in this modern age. The 20-year-ruling Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was also overthrown by the Algerians in similar fashion. One wonders, how come the Americans are still sleeping under the unlawful President!
