This fall marks another spark in the uprising avenue, marking the third African replica of political awareness and movement. People have been marching all over the country, facing the brutal police reactions with live ammunition and tear gas.
It all started with the government raising gas and food prices to almost the double, making life a living hell for that already-struggling class. People gathered and took streets to express their anger at the government insensitivity. The authoritarian government replied with extreme forces and an “iron fist”, as authorities announced. Protesters were treated with live ammunitions and tear gas, where many people were killed and wounded. Among those, who had lost their lives, was Salah Sanhouri, the main initiative of the political turmoil in Sudan.
Like Mohamed Bouazizi of Tunisia and Khaled Said of Egypt, Sanhouri represents the prutality and corruption of the police forces in Sudan. Salah Sanhouri, 27 year-old pharmacist, was killed in a protest at the end of September by police forces. Salah Sanhouri’s case was documented in a short movie and spread across facebook and other social media tools on the web. The documentary, along with a supportive group, received a high hit of views, initiating the outrageous feel of anger against inhumane treatments. Sudanese minister of Interior affairs claimed the use of strict measures towards the “armed groups and individuals.” It was reported, however, that the protesters have used any kind of force or weapons during the protest. Mr. Sanhouri was known to be against all kinds of violence, and has always asked his fellow protesters to avoid throwing rocks or destroying property – said Mohammed Ghazi el-Berier, his 27 year-old cousin.
As a result of Al-Bashir’s “iron fist”, estimates of 200 people were killed, in Khartoum alone, and another 700 people were arrested. Sudanese government, like it’s sister corrupt governments in Egypt and northern African nations, managed to cut off internet connection to try and stop people from communicating and organizing through social media. The cut off was seen on Wednesday September 25th, after demonstrations have erupted in Khartoum.
It was suggested that the cut in subsidies to oil and other food items, eventually, was due to the struggle the country has been facing since the independence of South Sudan in 2011. After the independence, South Sudan ended up possessing 70% of the country’s oil reserve, leaving North Sudan to suffer. However, in today’s Sudanese economy, it is hard for the average Sudanese to afford a doubling in prices of critical products. The current Sudanese economical crisis points out the amount of corruption in Al-Bashir’s failing government.
Even though the Sudanese political unrest resembles other similar movements, the future of Sudan is still uncertain. What is known, at this point, is that the people will keep trying to fight for their rights until they succeed. The power will always be to the people.
