Sudan: Let us remember the brave people who protest against their dictator!

These protests are continuing to ravish against the dictatorship of President Omar Al-Bashir. Yesterday, was yet another day of massive protests against him. Where he there are reports of shots at an Educational Hospital in Omdurman. That is what this regime does to its own.

That is why its brave to go on the streets, to scream and chant against the President. To show the National Congress Party (NCP) and President, that its enough. They are brave as the people are shot and dying. As people are arrested, taken away and family members has gone missing. That is why they are brave, they are standing up and being resilient against a man, who has no trouble finishing them off. Using militias, using Janjaweed (Rapid Security Force) or National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). All in the game of silencing and intimidating the public. Which it has done, again and again over the last few weeks. Since the start of the protest mid-December 2018.

The President should be afraid, should start to get anxious, as the public dismay isn’t stopping and their ability to gather isn’t dwindling, but instead growing. They don’t respect him or his orders. The public are not content with his management and his actions as their representative, as their leader. They are tired and ready for someone representing them. That is why they continue to settle the score in the streets.

That is the continued bravery, the ability to counter and stand up for their rights. The Sudanese people should be proud, what they are mustering and showing the whole world. That they are not picking arms, but using civic force to show the President who has the real power. The men with arms, with the guns has the ability to make people hurt and stop. But they have not the power to settle an idea, that is already established within the people. If they could, then this would have been settled. However, its not, because of the idea and the bravery of the public. Who in the midst of the worst intimidation, the worst harassment, the bickering sinister acts of the authorities. Are still in the streets chanting against them.

The Schools and Universities are now closed. The Internet is either blocked or slow, the Social Media sites is blocked. The amount of dead has rise already to over 40 and who knows what is the real number of detained people, but that is rising to. That is the answer from the government after weeks of protest. Still, people are gathering, not giving way or in to the regime. They are not accepting the mere fact of continuing, where it left off.

There also being put in place emergency laws and curfews around the Republic. Surely as an effort to contain the protests. But the mere size of the protests yesterday. Shows that these measures doesn’t mean to much. Even as he unverified results of it, was another 3 dead. Which is three to many. None should die over a power-struggle, but then again Al-Bashir has been collecting skulls since taking power.

Its been since 1989, the man has ruled for 30 year non-stop. The public is enough of the bloodshed and misuse of power, enough of the corruption and the rot within the state. It is time for change and proper representation in the chambers of power.

But, for now, before that happens. Salute to the brave men and woman, who are on the front-line and fighting the blood-thirsty President. The man that has embodied the vision of single ruler without any question. The man who has used militias and used the state as private enterprise. Is now under fire, by ordinary men and woman, by people who has everything to loose by challenging him. Still, they continue. That is bravery without no questions.

When they are chanting in the streets, as the tear-gas, the live-bullets and the armed guards or soldiers popping up. They are still there, standing or walking towards the destination, towards the hopeful future where this ends. Where the Presidency and Reign ends. That is where they are walking towards. In the midst of the all the tragedies, they are continuing and pushing with hope for change. That is what is brave.

All of the people, who has stood there and done this over the three last weeks are brave, the courage and the strength to continue. Is admirable and shows commitment to the cause. I salute you. You deserve it. Your bravery should not be forgotten, neither should we forget the ones who lost their lives for the cause. The ones that is healing and the ones in prison. You all are heroes fighting the oppression and the dictatorship. You deserve credit and words cannot express properly, as the praise will be insignificant to the cost you already carry for standing their and being their in midst of the fight against the dictator. Peace.

Sudan: Troika Statement – Statement by Troika on the response to containing protests in Sudan (08.01.2019)

Sudan: Urgent Appeal – Save Yasir Elsir Ali’s life (07.01.2019)

Sudan: Massive protests in several cities today!

Since 1989, one man have ruled the Sudanese republic, this being President Omar Al-Bashir. Now since Mid-December 2018, the public have demonstrated since then and continues. Even as the masses are targeted and the security forces are both killing, tear-gassing and detaining. The numbers of this is uncertain, but all of them is growing. Therefore, the Republic and the President is attacking their own citizens, as they wish to see their president resign and change the regime.

Here is hasty, today’s updates. It is really a lot, but also not so structured. Because all of this should be mentioned.

There was massive arrests all over the Republic of Sudan. In Khartoum, Waad Madani, Atbra and Port Sudan.

In Khartoum, there was mass arrests at the University of Khartoum, as the Professors was taken from there. It was the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) who arrested the activists and professors as they were planning to attend the protests today.

In Khartoum today, the NISS and other security agents in plain clothes going after people and arresting them on the streets. There are also thrown tear-gas and usage of live-bullets against the demonstrations.

Notable Arrests:

Journalist Mohamed Amin (Bloomberg), Abdulrahaman Gaber (Alkhabar) and Ahmed Younes (Sharq Al-Owsad) arrested covering today’s protests. Also, Doctor Anwar Dafa-Alla, a Sudanese activist who brought the first TEDx talks to Sudan, has been arrested in today. They have arrested Khadiga El-Dewehi, prominent feminist organizer.

SCFA established:

Today, the Sudanese Civic Forces Assembly supports the declaration of freedom and change. They put out a public declaration in support of it. Today, was also the day, when it was established.

We can hope the President and his regime falls, as the protests continues, even as the Gulf-States are offering donations to give a life-line to it. Therefore, who knows what the authorities will do, as they cannot arrest all people, but they can take out the leaders and the main-activists. Just like they have taken out some parts of Sudanese Professional Association, who has called for many of the protests and the ones going to the Presidential Palace in Khartoum.

Let see how this goes, but day, by day. There are more pressure on the President. Peace.

Sudan: Today was “Freedom Friday”!

Today, there was more demonstrations and protests around the Republic. This is continuation of the protests against the regime of National Congress Party (NCP) and President Omar Al-Bashir. The are clear messages, that the public would prefer that Al-Bashir wants him to step-down and resign. It was the Sudanese Professional Association who called the demonstrations today, surely they will be remembered as the Freedom Friday rallies, as the momentum is there. As the state is doing vicious attacks and the chants are stronger. The barricades are broken and the state cannot uphold this pressure. We have to hope these demonstrations amounts to changes, that the NCP and President see their ill-gotten gains.

Look at the recent reports:

National Intelligence and Security Service officers reportedly arrest journalist Faisal Muhammad Salih from his office and confiscate cell phone” (Isma’il Kushkush, 03.01.2019).

Earlier today, Sudanese security apparatus arrested Dr. Mohamed Nagi Alasm, the member of the secretariat of Sudanseen Professionals Association who publicly announced the Change and Freedom declaration on the 1st of January” (Sudan Change Now, 04.01.2019).

It is reported that: “NISS arrested the father of SCP party’s Deputy Secretary-General Noureldin Salah and are holding him hostage to force him to turn himself in”.

Reported that snipers disguised as firemen open fire at protesters in Elobied City.

In Omdurman, after the Friday Prayer as they went to the streets, the Security Forces used vast amounts of tear-gas to disperse the demonstrators.

There are various reports of arrests in Khartoum, Omdurman and other cities, as the protests are spreading. Even in some states there are letters from the state, saying if the civil servants are protesting or demonstrating in the uprising. They will be terminated. Those sort of letters has leaked and shows to what extent the state goes against the ones questioning their power.

We already knows what sort of activity this government does, as the rising levels of direct killings as the protests goes by, as the amounts of arrests. There are various numbers out, the official death toll after 3 weeks are about 40 deaths and about 300 arrested. However, the unofficial numbers of arrests are closer to 500, but no certainty about the amounts of death. Also, there are no official number in the ones wounded, which would be sky-rocketed by all the usage of live-bullets against the crowds in the Republic.

That is what is remembered, what the government does to its own citizens. The Republic are going against their citizens. That is what is happening, while they are fighting through peaceful means for their freedom.

Al-Bashir, your time is up. You just doesn’t seem to get it yet. Peace.

Sudan: The uprising continues and systematic arrests happens now!

As the reports of Gulf States fuelling money to the National Congress Party and President Omar Al-Bashir. The Opposition Parties has signed the Declaration of Freedom and Change. This is the 22 parties who went together and suspended their activity in the National Assembly. However, that have not stopped the resilient actions of the President.

The President have ordered the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) to arrest, detained and take away, all activists and leaders who wants more protests. That is why they are arresting more and more people every day. They are also focused on arresting all journalists who covers the demonstrations too. While the Authorities are trying to disrupt the Social Media, blocking WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Internet Traffic in general. Therefore, the authorities in general are trying to black-out the public.

While the Opposition have called out, even for a military coup d’etat against the government. We don’t know if that is a good move, but that is how the President came to power and doesn’t seem that he will resign. As the demonstrations are now on the 3rd Week.

There are reports of plenty arrested today from professors, journalists and fear of activists, who has voiced discontent with the authorities. That they will be picked up, as the families of the arrested have no idea of where they are or when they will return. That is the acts of the state at this point, as they tear-gas, kills and silence demonstrations. They are using live-bullets and even use Anti-Aircraft Guns against the citizens too.

We are seeing the evil directly in the eye. We knew what sort of man, Omar Al-Bashir was, as Darfur, South Kordofan and South Sudan, has all seen his vicious attacks on humanity, his violations of international law and genocide. The crimes done against people, the oppressive acts, shall never be forgotten. Not the killings of the last two weeks, but for the career of killings done under the orders of this President.

Al-Bashir have done this, he continues to do it. Order the Security Organization to kill his own citizens. Just to stay in power. That is the man he is and shall be remembered for that. That is his legacy. Peace.

Sudan: Al-Bashir is more and more isolated!

Now, that President Omar Al-Bashir has ordered investigations in the violence and killings during the days of demonstrations. The National Congress Party (NCP) and the President is up in arms, as we know, they will directly investigate themselves and clean their hands.

As that is happening, the public display of caring. There are 22 parties signing a declaration and calling themselves “The National Front for Change” as they withdrew themselves from the National Consensus Government. Where these opposition parties have called for dissolving the Parliament and establish a transitional government, a governing council. That is what the opposition parties called for on the 1st January 2019. The public have continued to demonstrate and riot since 18th December 2018. They are clearly, trying to cash-out and gain popularity, by answering to the public dismay towards the NCP and Al-Bashir.

We Al-Bashir doesn’t only have unpopular opinion against him, as his tyranny, his misuse of security organizations like Rapid Security Force (RSF) or the Janjaweed or the Sudan Defence Force. They are both used against the public and killing civilians who are demonstrating against him. The President have no issues killing his own to stay in power. That is why they are chanting against him.

We know there is problems under the surface with the lack of funds, financial crippling economy, where the Central Bank of Sudan plans to push new bank-notes, released this month. As the public are struggling to take out their salaries and waiting in long quees. When they get to the ATM and take out money, it comes out less than what they asked for. That is why, the public knows there is trouble brewing, as the President cannot rig the failing economy.

Whatever, they are pushing now. Whoever finance the new measures and half-baked ways of solving the crisis. The people are tired of the tyrant and his tyranny. The dictator cannot keep it up. The public is speaking on the streets and they are silenced by the armed forces and government militias. That is what this man is up to. The President tries to please and silence at the same time. That will not work out.

We have seen steady acts since 18th or 19th December until today. The government is fearing today, as the soldiers and militia men are in the streets. Even when nobody has called for further demonstrations. Clearly, that will appear again. As their wish of the resignation and stepping down of the President. Haven’t happen yet and their will haven’t been respected.

Time will tell, if the Arabic support of the government by financial means is enough. Or if the people are so tired of the President since 1989. That he will loose his power… loose his regime and his throne. That the people will get a more just ruler and better governance. As this government is preoccupied with hiring mercenaries, than securing the economy. Peace.

Sudan’s Uprising: Al-Bashir’s double communication speaks of restraint, but uses excessive force against them!

Today on the 31st December 2018. As the demonstrations against the National Congress Party and President Omar Al-Bashir 30 year dictatorship and assault on the citizens freedom. Days ahead of today, the Sudan Professional Association called for a Second Demonstration at the Republican Palace in Khartoum.

Therefore, with the knowledge of the staged demonstrations in Khartoum, the Authorities and the world knew that the public would go out today, ahead of the New Years Celebration. They all knew this, that is why the President called for restraint and not using excess methods to silence the demonstrators. However, by the actions done by the authorities it doesn’t seem real.

We have seen clips of NISS going out on trucks shooting tear-gas and live-bullets at the crowds in Khartoum. There are reports from Medical Sources, that there is plenty of people with gun-wounds from today’s demonstrations. The Police is ordering shops to close, as the people are gathering. They are all prepared for the action happening. We also know as previously, the authorities ordered snipers on the roof in and around city. That shows their plan of intimidation and also excessive actions against peaceful protesters.

Even as the doctors and medical personnel tries to help the wounded protesters. In some of the streets for Khartoum, the authorities are arresting and taking them into custody. The soldiers and police officers, was even using tear-gas and violent acts on the Hospital Street, where the wounded was transferred too. They continued there, to retaliate against them.

Even with all the state sponsored violence in the streets in Khartoum. The demonstration are still going towards the Republic Palace or the Presidential Palace in the Capital. We know they are doing whatever they can to control it. As the authorities have also blocked the bridges into city. They have planned it to ensure that the city isn’t filled with protesters tired of the regime.

With all knowledge of this, he speaks with double tongue, as he orders restraint. However, shooting people in the legs, having snipers on the street and tear-gassing people on the way to the Hospital isn’t trusting the public as they demonstrate. That is more violence, more live-bullets without knowing the consequences or levels of hurt.

This is seriously attacking on their freedom, as done so much by the Al-Bashir Regime. Peace.

Sudan: The 10th Day of Demonstrations against Al-Bashir!

Someone has ruled the Republic since 30th June 1989 after a bloodless coup against Prime Minister Sadiq Al-Mahdi. Since then the Colonel Omar Al-Bashir has ruled and been President of Sudan. This is why the people are in the streets against both the President and National Congress Party. They are ready for another leadership and not someone looting them, intimidating them and using them.

We have known for days, that the Rapid Support Force or Janjaweed have been on the streets shooting live bullets. The same has the soldiers done, who has been ordered across the Republic to squash the demonstrations. Also, the massive use of tear-gas, even throwing it into people’s houses, as well as all the deaths. Which the Republic doesn’t want to address or take credit for.

There are now after ten days official numbers. These are reported from Radio Dabanga:

Sudan’s Information Minister, Bushara Juma, said at a press conference in Khartoum that 19 people were killed during the demonstrations in the country that began on Wednesday last week. Juma asserts that 219 people were wounded, while the number of injured regular forces reached 187” (Dabanga – ‘Official Sudan protest casualty figures released’ 28.12.2018, link: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/official-sudan-protest-casualty-figures-released).

There are the official numbers of causalities, but independent sources are having bigger numbers. So, at this point it is hard to know what is what. Especially since the Republic has blocked Social Media sites like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. Also, the biggest Cellphone Company Zain has blocked the Internet through their lines. All of this is to make a possible black-out.

We know the NCP and President is striking all out. As there are reports of even aircraft’s used to intimidate the public, while they are demonstrating on the 10th day. We know the Janjaweed are patrolling the streets, even the Petrol Stations and guarding the banks of Khartoum. There is even the use of National Intelligence and Security Services, which is headed by Saleh Gosh. So, the acts of the Security Officials by the Regime.

We know how far they go, when while Friday Prayers in Omdurman, the Authorities threw tear-gas inside the mosque, as they were afraid of the public going out demonstrating after the prayers. That proves how far this regime takes it. This is what they do.

We know the seriousness, as the UN Human Rights Council states this:

The UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, Aristide Nononsi, said the use of lethal force was unacceptable when controlling demonstrations. “Dissent must be tolerated and not restrained with excessive force which can lead to loss of life. I strongly urge the Sudanese security forces to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid the escalation of violence and take immediate measures to protect the right to life of the demonstrators,” Nononsi said. The experts said they were also concerned at reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions of unknown numbers of protesters, including students and political activists. “We call on the Sudanese authorities to release those detainees. We also urge the authorities to carry out independent and thorough investigations and to ensure that security forces handle protests in line with the country’s international human rights obligations.”” (UN Human Rights Council – ‘ Sudan: UN experts urge halt to excessive use of force against peaceful protesters’ 28.12.2018).

Al-Bashir and the NCP should know their time is up. The President should know this and his actions against the public, will only infuriate them, as they have seen their sinister acts over three decades done by the President. Even if the coup d’etat of 1989 had been this Presidency, then things would have been good. However, this Presidency was born out of civil war and that was prolonged in the South Sudan and with the internal conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile State.

President Al-Bashir have the chance to step down and man-up, but it seems like he will fight to the bitter end. It has already lasted for ten days. We don’t know how this will end and how far the President will take it. Seriously, we have to wonder, when the authorities feel they are losing the grip and cannot handle the pressure. Because at some point, the waves of people will make the wall of power lose. To the tide of people flooding over. However, when that happens, is not for me to speculate, but hope it will happen.

So, that the Power of the People are proven yet again and they hopefully get a just ruler. Who gives them their freedom, the liberties and the justice they deserve. Peace.

My letter to President Al-Bashir: Time to Reconcile your fate!

27th December 2018, Oslo

Dear Sir, your Excellency, President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan.

I am writing to you, as your people are revolting against, chanting words against your 30 years of reign.

If you don’t know sir, your time is up. There is time for you to fold your cards and step aside. Your rule of genocide, senseless killings, mismanagement and grand corruption. Should soon be over. The timeless killings and murder of South Kordofan, Blue Nile State and in Darfur. Is what your legacy will leave behind.

Since, the Coup that took you into power, you have never given time or day to anyone else. You have been the sole person to control and initiate violence. You have ensured that dozens of familes are lost. You have secured them pain, that they can never heal from, a pain where their loved ones are ditched in graves without names, where villages has been burnt and all for some petrodollars for you to spend on yourself.

That is the reality of today, as you use the Janjaweed to attack civilians who demonstrate against you. Again, you use force against the people you supposed to serve. Your supposed to be a guiding star and a living example. Instead, your a bloodthirsty tyrant, who uses all means to oppress the civilians. There are no joy, no mercy, just more bloodshed.

So, you can be their Excellency, their master and their ruler. Is it all worth it? The bloodstains on your hands, that you can never wash off? What will you do, when you have to answer for the all the lives taken on your command? Where are your heart and soul, going to answer, when the ancestors going to question your actions? How will you answer to God, when you ask to redeem your soul for eternity?

I don’t think you ever thought of that, because you have been a self-styled President for Life. You have been preoccupied with ruling on your own accord and ruthlessly so. Therefore, the consideration of your afterlife and your legacy has been squashed. You have thought you would never be touched. But you will, not only by chants in the streets, not only by civilians belittling you. However, you will be touched by the high and mighty, when you stop breathing and he will.

Well, it is time for me to look into other matters, but you should reconsider your obligations, your place in the world and redeem yourself. Before you end up like a thief on the street, before they retaliate against you. Like you have done to plenty of villages, all your grown up life. They will take your home, burn your possessions, take your wealth, take your chair and take your space. All, because you never had the sight of justice and liberty. Except for yourself.

You could do everything, but the public was ruled by your iron fist and your cannons. They had no say and was to be obliged, that you let them live. Even if they never asked you to breathe, still, you acted like that. You acted like an eternal ruler, while you where only a man, like them.

It is time for you to leave, time for you to seek guidance and help. Reconcile your fate and see, what the people see fit for you and not the other way around. Peace.

Best regards

Writer of MinBane.