Why Aren’t We Talking about Sudan?

via foreignpolicy

Late last year, the Sudanese sought to remove their dictator ruler Omar al-Bashir of nearly 30 years. With a successful overthrow, there is now violent unrest between the Sudanese protestors and its Transitional Military Council.

In December 2018, Sudan’s then leader al-Bashir drove up bread prices while simultaneously prohibiting Sudanese people from withdrawing money from banks to support themselves and their families. This led to further economic unrest for the country. After months of uprising, al-Bashir was arrested by the military in April.

What was meant to be a temporary leadership hold has now led to exclusive control by the military TMC. The TMC (Transitional Military Coup), is a group of security forces and paramilitary led by a group of 7 generals who have put themselves in power “to ensure order and security” of the country. Originally, the TMC made an agreement with the SPA (Sudanese Professionals Association, a collection of doctors, lawyers and journalists), of a 3 year grace period  for the state to set up government elections, council civilians and provide eligible candidates for the country to successfully build a civilian-led democratic administration. However the TMC reneged on the peace pact and began killing protestors and civilians to keep themselves in power.

via France24

Funded by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates , the TMC and other military forces such as RSF (Rapid Support Forces or Hemeti) has shutdown Internet access and almost all phone services to disseminate any information and communication to the outside world. The state’s captial Khartoum  is currently at a standstill as protestors take to its streets, only to be met by violent and heavily armed military forces.

The World Health Organization has reported almost 800 people have been injured and 52 killed (although that number has been estimated to be in the near 100s now; with bodies being uncovered after being dumped in the Nile River). Women, men and children have been raped, homes and structures set on fire and destroyed, with violence extending beyond the capitol and into smaller cities.

via instagram

Shahd Khidir, a Sudanese beauty influencer living in NYC, has made a viral video asking her followers to spread awareness of the violence in her home country. In a screenshot text from her friend at the capital, it read: “no one is allowed to move — if you see someone you know being shot to the ground you’re not allowed to pick up their dead body.”

So why aren’t we talking about Sudan at all?

Why aren’t news outlets talking more about Sudan?

Most importantly, why are we LETTING traditional news outlets have all the power?

If you’re not finding the information, seek it out! It is 2019. We have access to the Internet and social media to educate ourselves on information WE WANT and MUST learn about. And it is literally at our fingertips. There has never before been a generation or a time where WE, the audience can directly control WHAT information we want to see, and at what TIME we demand to read/see/hear about it.

So what will we do with the knowledge of Sudan’s current state now that we have it? Spread it. SPREAD this news as fast and as quickly as you liked Kylie Jenner’s baby picture. As quickly as you were to repost Beyoncé’s face during #Beckygate turned ‘jk its soda water with lime.’ This is not about algorithms. This is not about trending hashtags. This is about educating ourselves on issues that MATTER and our human ability to empathize and unite for those whose lives are just a click away.

Use the hashtag #IAmTheSudanRevolution (via the feminist collective) to spread awareness! There is nothing stronger that the unity of an international community.