Sudan and the popular uprising

By Arman Muhammad Ahmad

In the Sudanese popular uprising the power of the people's unanimity normally overcomes armed force. Thus, popular uprising in Sudan generated new concepts in revolution and social change. The peaceful revolution of October 1964 repeated by the Sudanese people in March /April 1985 proved that a dictatorship falls in Sudan , no matter how powerful it is in military terms. This occurs when popular rejection of the regime reaches the stage of civil disobedience. Civil disobedience is a collective breach of the law of the State, by peaceful means. However, civil disobedience finds its legitimacy in contemporary international law. A person may not implement a law, an instruction or an order, if this would lead to the committing of a crime against humanity or a violation of human rights. It is accepted that these types of crime are neither pardonable nor time-barred.

The general (political) strike is the highest manifestation of civil disobedience. During a general strike the mechanism of government is paralyzed. So, the ruling regime can not continue to function and finally collapses. This is exactly what happened in Sudan during the popular uprisings of October 1964 and March/April 1985. It is worth noting that the Sudanese army and the police were involved in the execution of the general strike, at least at their grass-roots. This occurred despite the fact that no trade unions are permitted among such military bodies. Junior and middle ranks exerted pressure on their leaders, forcing them to align with the people. Some are not aware of the fact that a political strike does not need trade union leaders, unlike an industrial strike where the union leadership negotiates with the employer on behalf of employees. An industrial strike is normally lifted when the workers reach agreement with the employer. The main difference between the two types of strike is that the former stems mainly from bad governance and official corruption. This generates a feeling of injustice and discontent among the people.

Thus, in a popular uprising, the ruling regime collapses in broad daylight. Indeed, the Sudanese people were well ahead of their leaders with the uprisings; in fact, they surprised not only these leaders but the whole world. However, after each popular uprising in the Sudan , the so-called " 11 o'clock leaders" appear to ride the wave of the popular uprising at the last moment. Some do not hesitate to claim for themselves the unique achievement of the regime change – but only after its success!

The reasons for a renewal of popular uprising in the Sudan could be crystallized as follows:

- the violation by military and civilian dictatorships of the liberties and fundamental human rights of the Sudanese people

- the failure of military and civilian dictatorships to protect national unity and achieve peace in Sudan

 -the political, economic and social corruption caused by military and civilian dictatorships

The flame of popular uprising in Sudan will continue until the great Sudanese people achieve their aspirations to a dignified life, combining liberty, true democracy, total justice, and a respect for human rights.

Arman Muhammad Ahmad