By Have you ever shared a déjà vu moment with someone? What about with almost 50 million people? Your answer is no, right? Well, you must be a non-Sudanese.
No, we do not have some weird, out-of-this-world telepathic connection, even though that would be cool, but we do all want three fundamental things: freedom, peace, and justice. That is why now, once again, it is time for a revolution.
In order to understand why the Sudan coup exists, we need to do a quick recap of the country’s history that led to the 2021 revival of the 2019 Sudanese revolution.
In 1989, a military coup led by brigadier Omar Al-Bashir ousted Prime Minister Sadiq Al-Mahdi. In 1993, Al-Bashir was named president and, through his deceit, he maintained his post for the next 30 years. Under Al-Bashir’s leadership, the Sudanese people experienced manipulation, crooked practices, genocide, and dishonesty by the government. He fabricated lies and sold himself out to ensure he didn’t lose his power. This came at the cost of the Sudanese people and their innocent lives.
The Sudanese people had suffered more than enough. In December 2018 our people came out in numbers to demand the government be handed to the civilians — a government for the people by the people. We protested, marched, and took part in complete civil disobedience. We sang, cried, mourned, and celebrated together.
History does repeat itself. And with that, the Sudanese people, again, are not falling for it. We aren’t the first to rise up against the government. Our grandparents protested. Our parents protested. We have protested once before, and we will do it again until our demands are met.
On April 11, 2019, after 4 months of protests, Omar Al-Bashir was finally ousted. And on the following day, Al-Bashir’s confidant and replacement, Lt. Gen. Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf, was named de facto Head of State. A day later, he was ousted. The Sudanese people had overthrown two leaders in less than 72 hours — legendary.
A Transitional Military Council was put in place, which was later replaced with the Sovereignty Council with agreements between the military and the civilians. This was to end later with a general election. And now we come to the present.
If you haven’t heard by now, Sudan is currently facing a violent and dangerous military coup led by General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Ibn Auf’s successor. Ahead of the elections, Al-Burhan dissolved the Sovereignty Council, arrested Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and is now fabricating lies, selling himself out, and manipulating the Sudanese people to ensure he doesn’t lose his power. Sounds familiar, huh? Déjà vu anyone?
History does repeat itself. And with that, the Sudanese people, again, are not falling for it. We aren’t the first to rise up against the government. Our grandparents protested. Our parents protested. We have protested once before, and we will do it again until our demands are met. Those on the ground need our help more than ever. They rose up unarmed and peaceful, and yet, they were met with violence.
The military has cut off all internet connections as well as domestic and international communication in order to censor our people on the ground and limit the dissemination of information.
The opposition may come and undo all the work we’ve done, but we get right back up and rebuild it. We will build our country. One brick at a time.
If you didn’t know, now you know. Below are listed ways you can help, whether you are Sudanese or not:
- Pray for Sudan. Keep them in your daily prayers;
- Educate yourself about the current situation, but also look into the history of why things are twisted the way they are;
- Amplify the Sudanese voices;
- Check in on your Sudanese friends; and
- Donate to fundraisers supporting those on the ground.
The Sudan coup is like the barricades we build to protect our neighborhoods. The opposition may come and undo all the work we’ve done, but we get right back up and rebuild it. We will build our country. One brick at a time.
For more information, visit https://www.sudancoup.com/
To donate, visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/580387513203068/