On June 24, thousands of Sudanese people took to the streets of Khartoum, shouting, “Down with the regime!”
On Sunday, June 17th, students began gathering at the University of Khartoum to protest government corruption and the rising cost of living in Sudan. For the past year, protests against government policies have happened off and on; however, after President Omar al-Bashir ordered a reducement of government fuel subsidies in the midst of the country’s economic crisis, the students organized a mass protest, which is gaining momentum in most of Sudan’s major towns.
Many citizens, the protesters argue, lack representation in a government that denies them their basic rights. The protesters cite the constant fighting within the country as evidence that Sudan’s citizens are not treated equally.
According to protesters, the police have used tear gas, beat people with sticks, and shot rubber bullets into the crowds. Nonetheless, the protest continues.
Sudan activists have called for a mass revolt on June 30th, which marks the day that Bashir assumed power in 1989. The National Congress Party (NCP) of Sudan normally celebrates the day with Bashir. This June 30th the protesters have called for their fellow citizens to join them in the streets to end the NCP permanently.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) of Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan joined with the Darfur movements to form the movement called Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF). The SRF’s main goal is to overthrow the central government and create a democratic state, which is also the goal of protesters in Khartoum. After an agreement between the groups was signed, they decided to reach their goal militarily while the protest in Khartoum remains peaceful. The SRF is engaged in an armed conflict with the national army.
On June 24th, the SRF issued a statement about the demonstrations. The SRF welcomed the protesst and asked that people in Sudan– in particular residents of Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Darfur–peacefully join the movement.
