ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΜΕΣΟΓΕΙΑΚΩΝ, ΜΕΣΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΩΝ & ΙΣΛΑΜΙΚΩΝ ΣΠΟΥΔΩΝ

Protests across Sudan are well into their fourth month, consistently defying President Omar al-Bashir’s suppressive response, as well as his superficial political appeasing efforts. That persistence, stemming from economic and political demands highly similar to those expressed in several Arab countries during the so-called “Arab Spring”, interestingly underscores a relevant continuity of the transformative dynamics that emerged back in 2011. In Sudan, similar peaceful revolts have twice -in 1964 and 1985- ended up in the collapse of military dictatorships. Nevertheless, despite the protesters’ determination, the existence of a particularly rigid pro-status quo regional political landscape further complicates the equation that could lead to actual political change. 

Once more Sudan is stricken by protest. Sudanese are on the streets due to the increase of bread prices. The government responded violently towards the dissent. Five people lost their lives, around 60 have been arrested including the leader of the Sudanese Communist Party Mokhtar al- Khatib, and the regime blocked the sale of several newspapers.

Economic reasons solely are behind the demonstrations. The prices of basic needs and commodities such as bread, medicine, electricity and fuel have increased in unprecedented levels. The government eliminated wheat subsidies from its 2018 budget. It’s adopting austerity measures in line with IMF recommendations, and inflation rose to 25 % making extremely difficult for ordinary Sudanese to buy imported goods. The country is also lacking hard currency to facilitate needed imports. The measures aim to make Sudanese economy more competitive since it can no longer depend on its oil resources since 2011 when South Sudanese separated, after a half century of war with Sudan. The longest Africa has ever seen.  

The current Darfur crisis in Sudan erupted in 2003. The south-western region of Darfur has become infamous for the civil strife that has been ensuing for the past six years, mainly centered around conflicts between rebel groups, government forces and paramilitary organizations, some of which (including "Jonahed") led genocides against thousands of people. Violent conflicts have resulted in the uprooting of much of the civilian population and forced expulsions from their homes. However, it seems that the roots of today's declining political situation can be found in the specific historical past O'Fahey aims to reproduce.

Ζούμε πραγματικά ιστορικές στιγμές. Το δημοψήφισμα 9-16 Ιανουαρίου 2011 για την πιθανή απόσχιση του Νότιου Σουδάν από τη Δημοκρατία του Σουδάν έχει πλέον ολοκληρωθεί. Αν και τα επίσημα αποτελέσματα δεν έχουν ακόμη ανακοινωθεί, όλες οι πληροφορίες καταδεικνύουν ότι η συμμετοχή ξεπέρασε το 60% (γεγονός που καθιστά το δημοψήφισμα νομικά έγκυρο) και ότι έχει επικρατήσει με ισχυρή πλειοψηφία η επιλογή της απόσχισης. Αν πράγματι έχει συμβεί αυτό, τότε θα έχουμε μια από τις ελάχιστες περιπτώσεις όπου τα αποικιοκρατικά σύνορα, που μέχρι σήμερα διαχωρίζουν τα κράτη της Αφρικής μεταξύ τους, μεταβάλλονται μέσα από δημοκρατικές διαδικασίες.