Sudan’s Uprising: The Specter of Revolution Terrifies Arab Tyrants

Statement by the Revolutionary Socialists

29 years of military rule… 29 years of ghost houses and torture chambers… 29 years of terrorizing citizens and opponents with militias that abduct, burn, kill, and rape… 29 years of propaganda media labeling any youth movement as “demonstrations of perverts and prostitutes” on the front pages of newspapers.

Today, Omar al-Bashir, the dictator of Sudan, stands against revolutionary winds amidst a collapsing economy and international isolation that he has repeatedly tried to break without success: at times by sending thousands of his soldiers to participate in the coalition aggression against Yemen, at other times by getting closer to Turkey, and finally by approaching Bashar al-Assad, the butcher of Syria.
The spark of the current Sudanese uprising was ignited by the schoolchildren of Atbara protesting against the high cost of living, only to be met with the regime’s usual brutality. However, the protests quickly spread across various states, reaching the capital.

With unparalleled bravery, the Sudanese faced the security forces and Bashir’s militias, which used tear gas, live ammunition, and heavy machine guns (“Dushka”) to disperse the demonstrations. The head of Sudanese intelligence made statements accusing the Israeli Mossad of being behind the protests. At the same time, the regime blocked social media and messaging applications amidst a campaign of raids and widespread arrests of demonstrators and activists, with varying estimates of the number of martyrs ranging from 15 to 30 due to the media blackout.

However, the protests have not calmed down yet, and the Sudanese continue their revolution. Doctors have announced a general strike, excluding emergency cases, and other professional sectors are expected to join the strike soon. Protesters in several cities have burned the headquarters of the ruling party and state security in scenes reminiscent of Egypt’s January 28, 2011, Day of Rage.

Sudan is rising amidst a regional media blackout, as despite any political differences, no Arab ruler wants a revolution in any country in the region, fearing the domino effect. Online, there has been a sweeping attack by Saudi and Egyptian electronic committees against the Sudanese movement, with warnings of the “ruin of the Arab Spring.” The specter of revolution still terrifies them. Meanwhile, the Sudanese movement is receiving enormous support from Egyptians and others in the region who have suffered defeats, hoping that the Sudanese movement will succeed in steering things towards political change once again.
As with any revolution, opportunists try to hijack it. Here is Sadiq al-Mahdi returning to the country once again after his self-imposed exile, and others promoting the idea that the Sudanese army stands with the protesters, as if the military does not rule Sudan, and as if the army allows the existence of opposition or non-corrupt elements in the upper ranks. Yes, Sudanese revolutionaries may find allies among soldiers and junior officers, but the Sudanese military institution is corrupt, with its leaders being a striking arm for Bashir. However, in the event of the uprising’s escalation, it may sacrifice Bashir to save the regime, as their counterparts did with the military council in Egypt on February 11, 2011.
All solidarity and support for the Sudanese people… Glory to the martyrs… Power and wealth to the people.