Freedom, peace and justice were the three words that echoed across all corners of the continent’s third largest nation. The majority of the population leading the movement was born under Omar Al-Bashir’s regime. That was all they had ever known and one might assume that all roads leading to a decent life were a figment of imagination and the protestor’s chant, a fictitious utopia. Yet those three words inspired a modern-day revolution, forcefully shaking Sudan’s political, social and international pillars.

After all, it had been many months of queuing up for cash, bread (Sudan’s staple food), fuel and gas. Traffic was slow, morale was low and life became gloomier each day. As fast as the government ran out of excuses, people ran out of patience and this sparked the fire of change in their hearts. Struggling to attain basic commodities, the Sudanese people were willing to risk their lives for a better future and in that, they took to the streets and began the fight for what’s rightfully theirs; a life worth living.

All the crimes that the crumbling Islamist regime had attempted to cover up, such as the intense human rights violations, toxic social engineering, deteriorated education, looting of resources, nonexistent medical care, and economic collapse among others were revealed in their grimiest details.

People of all social classes and backgrounds had their eyes wide open and feet on the ground and the Sudanese Professionals Association organized weekly protesting schedules nationwide. Nothing would stop them now, not imported tear gas, borrowed bullets, mass arrests, excessive violence or even murder.

For five months, the people of Sudan stood together in a unity that was not witnessed in the country’s modern history. In a diverse nation with plenty of tribes, beliefs and traditions, being Sudanese was the glue that brought people together. Hand in hand they marched the streets, flying the first flag of Sudan in its blue, yellow and green colorways as they reminisced the golden age of the nation, whilst rejecting the pan-Arabist representation of the current one.

Exquisite art and graffiti gradually filled up the brick and concrete walls in remembrance of those who lost their lives to the fight and demanding that the regime falls, once and for all. Women were at the forefront, resembling Nubian queens of the ancient kingdoms that once existed where they stood. No longer were they subordinate citizens viewed through the lens of a patriarchal society, but rather their presence was dignified in the revolution.

“This made the millions of Sudanese people in the diaspora feel a sense of true belonging to a country that was once stolen from them”

The evolution of the protests on April 6 marked a new chapter. What started as an ushering of millions to step out of their homes and make their demands clear, turned into a sit-in at the military headquarters in the heart of the capital and rippled across the 17 states. Furthermore, Sudan became the trending topic all over social media, demanding more than 15 seconds of fame. Eventually, the chains that previously blocked the nation from the media and detached it from the world were broken. This made the millions of Sudanese people in the diaspora feel a sense of true belonging to a country that was once stolen from them, turning the protests into a worldwide phenomenon.

Despite the presence of tear gas, live ammunition and road blocks by militias, the people were committed and life would be on pause until the regime got plucked entirely from its deep roots. The fall of Al-Bashir on April 11 brought an overwhelming rush of emotions that words would do no justice.

Filling the air were sounds of honking to the rhythm of the chants, whistles, church bells and announcements on mosque speakers about the sudden victory. Sudanese people of all ages and backgrounds were dancing and embracing one another on the street. Tears of joy, anguish and relief knew no discrimination as they celebrated on behalf of those who passed on, having sacrificed their lives for that exact moment.

In the midst of the celebration, the battle with the regime’s shadow government continues. With talks of a civil transitional government, the corrupt regime is working overtime, trying to enforce a military transitional government led by the same evil players. Their attempts to distract, divide, diffuse and spread misinformation were clear. The people refused to budge, putting up barricades and accepting death over defeat. The nation’s new home became the military HQ. Political activists and artists previously ousted from the nation left their hiding spots and returned to the motherland. People from other states got on trains, cars and even on foot to prove their demands for a better Sudan.

This has trully proven to be a 21st century revolution, as the sit-in location evolved into a fully functioning 24-hour city, equipped with food, health clinics, security check points, large screens, stages and even electrical generators to keep phones charged, speakers plugged, lights on and WIFI connected. Sudanese people demonstrated the true meaning of teamwork and it’s without a doubt that they can be entrusted with the progress of the country.

The Alliance for Freedom and Change is maintaining the people’s demands and conducting meetings with the stubborn military council. Politicians are now deliberating, the people are reflecting and understanding the true meaning of freedom, peace and justice, to undo all the regime’s knots and iron out the fabric that is the new Sudan. A Sudan that is truly inclusive, economically independent, open to the diaspora to pour in their expertise and ready to embrace healthier international relations. The journey has just begun and the Sudanese people are aware that it may as well take years for the nation to be completely released from this 30-year prison sentence. 

Text and Images by Hadeel Osman - Written in May 2019 and first Published in TAP Magazine Issue 12.