The Sudan crisis is of global importance.
Non-violent pro-democracy protesters of the peaceful Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) were violently attacked by Sudan’s governmental militias, known as the ‘Janjaweed’, under the orders of their military leaders. It follows an ongoing rejection and removal of the 30-year dictator, Omar al-Bashir, guilty of war crimes such as ethnic cleansing, mass rape and massacre. However, many key military leaders were also complicit, or profited, from these brutal, corrupt actions and thus, when negotiations for democracy opened up and demonstrators continually demanded the dismantling of Sudan’s dictatorial system, the military leaders realised the situation and acted violently.
The World Health Organization reported at least 52 peaceful protesters killed and more than 700 injured, with other reports have estimated a higher death toll. Stories of women and children being raped, bodies dumped into the Nile River, and other eye-witness accounts of atrocities, the SPA called for “complete civil disobedience and open political strike.” In essence, the entire country is in lockdown.
Furthermore, the military has cut off the internet. Entirely. One of the main platforms of the SPA’s peaceful protest was through spreading awareness on social media; by cutting off the internet, the military have not only attempted to silence the rights of these individuals’ voices, they have also attempted to inhibit the rest of the world’s awareness and education of the situation.
But we, with freedom of access to social media and freedom of speech, can help.
We need to spread awareness.
1. Change your profile picture to blue. It sounds pointless and childish but it shows your support. People will ask why you changed it – you can then explain. Most people are doing this on Instagram.
2. Repost educational information. You could repost Instagram posts on your story, add links to newspaper articles on your Facebook and Twitter. Convince people to read them. It takes mere clicks of our fingers and five to ten minutes of our time, while others in Sudan are being murdered for doing so.
3. Offer your voice. Get people talking about it. Mention it at your little coffee meeting. Before you go into your lecture. Ask your teacher if they’ve heard about it. Just bring it up, get the cogs whirring in other peoples’ heads.
https://www.facebook.com/donate/977085802497357/
https://www.gofundme.com/emergency-medical-aid-for-sudan
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/recognize-rapid-support-forces-led-general-hemedti-janjaweed-leader-sudan-terrorist-organization
6. See what your government is doing.
U.S. – sending a top diplomat to Sudan to encourage talks
The African Union – voted to suspend Sudan
Egypt (ally of Sudan) - has been slow to respond. Its president is also the head of the African Union
United Arab Emirates – described what happened as a ‘massacre’ and called for an investigation
Saudia Arabia – provided economic aid to Sudan but has been slow to respond
The European Union – condemned the Sudanese military
You may be wondering: “Why? If I did these things, is it really going to help?” It is a valid question. The media and internet culture often makes us feel helpless to support; what is changing your profile picture really going to do? But the point is not what you’re doing – it’s the fact that you are doing something. Raising awareness, donating, getting people talking, offering support. That is what evokes action and change.
