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Sudan is Heating Up - Students Lead #SudanRevolts Against Austerity
2012-06-19 00:00:00
<p>Sudan saw a weekend of protesters returning to the streets,<br />
this time to march against unpopular austerity measures. The<br />
protests were reportedly initiated on June 16 by female<br />
students at the University of Khartoum, in response to price<br />
increases for meals and transportation. A speech by President<br />
Omar Al Bashir discussed the measures, including reduction of<br />
fuel subsidies and cuts to regional governments, and did<br />
little to appease the demonstrations.</p>
<p>[This video from the protests uploaded Sunday shows students<br />
being teargassed and chanting, "The people want the downfall<br />
of the regime". http://youtu.be/4k7jHObBQds ]</p>
<p>other videos:<br />
http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/students-lead-sudanrevolts-against-austerity-0022253</p>
<p>Ending fuel subsidies is particularly contentious due to fears<br />
of further fueling inflation, which is already at 30 per cent.<br />
Though previous demonstrations at the University of Khartoum<br />
have not gained momentum among the broader population,<br />
opposition politicians reportedly said they too will protest<br />
the planned end to fuel subsidies.</p>
<p>Pictures tweeted by Sudanese activists showed demonstrators<br />
met with force by university police. The protests spread to<br />
other universities and to other parts of Khartoum.</p>
<p>As the protests continued without attention from international<br />
media, the lack of coverage was a focus of netizens'<br />
frustration.</p>
<p>Members of the group Girifna ("We are fed up") have been a<br />
center of activist opposition to the government, with many<br />
detained by security services over the past year. Along with<br />
other groups, they are calling for a general protest on June<br />
30.</p>
<p>Though protests have continued throughout the year, they have<br />
not approached the level of intensity that toppled the<br />
governments of other North African countries.</p>
<p>Many have questioned over the past year why Sudan's protests<br />
have not gained momentum. Blogger Yousif Elmahdi wrote about<br />
this topic in a post, "Sudan: Are We a Failed Nation?":</p>
<p>We all know Sudan is a failed state, but does the fact<br />
that we continue to do nothing make us a failed<br />
nation? Most Sudanese would gladly swap their current<br />
plight for that of Arab Spring nations prior to their<br />
uprisings. Why are we so reluctant to take a stand?<br />
Some say hopelessness - convinced of a lack of<br />
prospect for change, acquiescing, waiting for reform,<br />
or broadening their definition of a silver lining in<br />
desperate search of solace. Others wait for the<br />
opposition to mobilize - in itself hopeless. Even<br />
strong opposition would struggle for traction; some<br />
may play orchestrating roles in directing momentum<br />
once it builds but the majority will do little more<br />
than jump on the bandwagon. The favorite of the NCP<br />
propaganda machine is fear of the alternative, a<br />
notion many have adopted but becomes increasingly<br />
difficult to accept when faced with reality.</p>
<p>Others said anti-government protests did not gain traction<br />
because of the split created by the independence of South<br />
Sudan. Tensions between the two countries over oil revenues,<br />
which came almost exclusively from the South, have played a<br />
major part in worsening Sudan's economic woes.</p>
<p>Many of the activists involved believe the recent protests are<br />
a turning point.</p>
<p>The Stream covered the challenges facing Sudan and South Sudan<br />
six months after separation and interviewed blogger Amir Ahmad<br />
and human rights activist Dalia Haj-Omar on the way forward<br />
for the country. You can watch the episode below:<br />
http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/sudan-six-months-after-separation-0022015</p>
<p> </p>
<p>[photo credit - @AJStream pic.twitter.com/u0t1I6A8 ]</p>
<p>==========</p>
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