
Sudan: Forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change – Joint Statement (11.04.2019)



Today, the 11th April 2019 is a very significant day. Because, this is the first without Omar Al-Bashir as the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief nor as the President of Sudan. A role he has had since 30th June 1989.
This man have held his population captive, he has used all sorts of terror and use of force to get people into submission. This President have misused his time in power, he has assaulted all parts of life and certainly been the tyrant from Khartoum. Today, that play has ceased and all his sins will hopefully be revealed, as there are so many scores of dead, of hurt and of people who has fled this President’s reign. Now, is his time to answer for it.
Has been arrested and the swift transition is in play. The military, the army is trying to take control of the circles of power. The men behind the Rapid Support Force (RSF), the Janjaweed and others. Who earlier this morning took over the TV/Radios, as they have again issues a National Emergency for 3 months. While promising a Transitional Council and a waiting period of 2 years to settle the scores. Surely, the ones starting the Revolution will not be satisfied with same people leading the army under Al-Bashir will still bask in glory control, as his fate is sealed. They feel that the same regime is under control and only the head been cut off.
They are putting on a curfew of 10PM-4AM and dissolution of the Constitution. This means that the army is owning the Republic. The same army that has been behind Al-Bashir all his days, until today. The vital part of his reign and the ones securing his rule. They are now in-charge and setting the standards. They are banning the sit-in-demonstrations that been going for a week and surely not answering all the demands of the Sudanese Professional Association (SPA). They are saying they will continue to demonstrate and to organize protests against the regime. As they have seen enough bloodless coups being done, to accept this one too. Therefore, they will not accept the 2-year transition period either. Surely expect them to ask for the articles of the Declaration of Freedom and Change to be held. So, that the public get a civilian rule and justice for all the Sudanese people.
The one leading now is Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ihn Ouf, the man whose leading the High Council of Armed Forces, is the former Vice-President and Defence Minister. Surely, he will continue where he left off and will be no change to what Al-Bashir did in his day. Because, this is the henchmen of the regime taking over. Not a new breed or anyone hopeful.
With all these measures, the National Congress Party and the army is planning to keep the Republic under siege, but just under a new name. We can hope this revolution get more answers, than just switching the head on top. Even if that is a bittersweet victory, in the sense that the tyrant is gone, but his administration lingers on. They are proving today, to do as much as possible to remain.
Don’t expect the public to accept this verdict, this change as this is barely a change of guard. They have taken out one person, but the same junta is on top. There isn’t really more than just quick swift change, which not materialized, while they hope this will stop the demonstrations. They are already tired of this oppressive, militaristic junta taking control and not letting the people decide who are supposed to run the Republic. This is why, they have been demonstrating since Mid-December 2018 and have had a week of sit-in at the Army Headquarters in Khartoum.
They will not just accept this like that, the SPA and the ones who initiating this will not eat it and say its cool. Clearly, this is not the end, but a new beginning. I hope that it is for something sustainable and for a better tomorrow.
Peace.

The UN rights chief’s comments follow concerns about the reported use of tear gas and live ammunition by security forces against demonstrators in mass-protests that began last December.
NEW YORK, United States of America, April 10, 2019 – Sudan’s authorities have an “over-arching responsibility” to protect protesters, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said on Tuesday, amid reports that 70 people have died in the latest anti-Government clashes.
The UN rights chief’s comments follow concerns about the reported use of tear gas and live ammunition by security forces against demonstrators in mass-protests that began last December, over rising food and fuel prices and deteriorating living standards.
According to news reports, heavy gunfire was heard outside the Sudanese army headquarters on Tuesday, where thousands of protesters have been staging a sit-in over the past three days, calling for an end to President Omar al-Bashir’s three-decade rule.
Spokesperson for the High Commissioner (OHCHR), Ravina Shamdasani, reiterated Ms. Bachelet’s “serious concern at the use of excessive force” by Sudanese security forces, adding that her office had documented “many killings” since the situation deteriorated.
“Clearly a lot of people have died,” Ms. Shamdasani said, noting how difficult it was to verify numbers, or who was responsible, since various parts of the country’s security forces appeared to be “taking different sides”.
“We have been in touch with the authorities and they have actually invited our office to visit and we are in discussions with them about this,” she said. “We are again calling on the Government and security forces to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and the right to freedom of expression is respected, and that a genuine dialogue is undertaken to resolve this very complex situation with very real economic and social grievances of the public.”
The High Commissioner’s appeal follows the announcement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday, that he was following the demonstrations in Sudan “closely”
In a statement, Mr. Guterres appealed to all actors to exercise “utmost restraint and avoid violence”, while also calling for the release of detained protesters.
While affirming that the United Nations “stands ready to support any efforts agreed by the Sudanese to peacefully resolve the current crisis”, the Secretary-General further called on the Government of the Sudan to create a “conducive environment for a solution to the current situation and to promote an inclusive dialogue”.



The European Union expects that the call for change will prompt a commitment to a peaceful, credible, legitimate and inclusive process that will allow Sudan to carry out essential reforms.
BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 8, 2019 – Since 19 December, peaceful demonstrations have taken place in Sudan. Over the last two days, the Sudanese citizens have come out in unprecedented numbers, calling for change.
The European Union expects that the call for change will prompt a commitment to a peaceful, credible, legitimate and inclusive process that will allow Sudan to carry out essential reforms. These should guarantee the economic security and political representation that the people of Sudan deserve and expect, while providing assurances for the stability of Sudan’s neighbours.
To secure the confidence of Sudanese citizens and many of Sudan’s international partners this process should begin now. Peaceful demonstrations should be permitted. Security forces should not use tear gas and live ammunition against peaceful protesters. Political prisoners should be released.
The people of Sudan have shown remarkable resilience in the face of extraordinary obstacles over many years. Their trust must be won through concrete action by the government.

I will be brief, because this has been said plenty of times before, your time is up and the people is speaking in the streets. Even if you use all your security organization, use all parts of the state apparatus against them. If it is the Rapid Support Force (Janjaweed) or the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) on the people.
You are continuing to kill, arrests and silence the public. While your holding meeting with the military leadership. Because, you know your not the voice of the people anymore. Your not relevant to them. You have overstayed in office and never left since you took power in 1989.
People are tired of militarism. They are tired of your tyranny and looting of the Republic. They are tired of the games, the measures used to get them to be in submission to your rule. Your acts as an overlord, an warlord and a man of the Kalashnikov is over.
President Omar Al-Bashir, your three decades in power is soon over. Your legacy is sealed as the bloodthirsty tyrant you are. You never had interest in serving the Republic or making Sudan proud. You and your cronies was busy eating. The National Congress Party was busy scheming and your are still busy doing that. Trying to figure a way out of stalling the demonstrations and riots. Stopping the people from chanting against you.
The crowds in-front of the Army Headquarters in Khartoum. The Internet-blockade and possible power outage, just shows how your trying to stop the information from leaking. But it still does, because activists are ready.
You have killed ever since the bloodless coup of 30th June 1989. You have had your time and world are watching. The killings, the deaths and the assaults on civil society is known. It is not hidden, as the hospitals are targeted, the activists are dying and the ones who dares to organize revolts against you. Are in the end suffering. Their sacrifice will be remembered, as they fought for justice and for a revolution. For freedom from you and your bloody rule.
It will end. The time is near. It is just like your trying to look the other way. The people are out there. They don’t fear you, they fear God. They are awaiting the fall of their dictator and tyrant.
We are waiting to see, when its the final hour of Omar Al-Bashir. Peace.

“Freedom is not something that anybody can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be” – James Baldwin
Since 18th December 2018, the uprising and riots against the dictatorship of President Omar Al-Bashir, who has ruled the Republic since 30th June 1989. That shows how long he has lingered in power and continued to rule. As the President had anticipated to go into a new election and take another term.
The Sudanese have shown resilience, strength in midst of terror. Where that state has issued State of Emergency and all other measures to silence the demonstrations, the riots and uprising against their President and his party. The National Congress Party have used all methods to stop the demonstrations.
They have used live-bullets, killed and hurt the civilians showing up for demonstrations. The state have gone door-to-door, ambushed and attacked hospitals, issuing warnings to employees of sacking if they went to the streets. The state have issued warnings of keeping cash at home and not in the bank. There been so many steps issued by the state to silence and stop this.
Still, the days have gone, the amounts of demonstrations have risen, the sizes too. Even as the leaders, journalists and activists have been put behind bars. Several of people have been killed because of their bravery. They all defied the powerful state, who uses the Rapid Support Force (Janjaweed) and National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) against the protesting public.
Every single one of the fallen, their sacrificed will be remembered, as part of the people who stood up against a tyrant. Who had everything and who ate everything. While the public had nothing or little to go by. As the President used his tyranny and his draconian laws to stop the public from engaging or having a significant role in society. The state has done what it could to stop the civil society from existing.
Therefore, the strength and resilience of the public is really inspiring, that they are continuing. Going to the streets and addressing the state, continuing to make noise and stand-up for their rights.
They will continue to fight for their right. That is justified and no one deserves to be under a dictatorship. Al-Bashir doesn’t value other people lives, except for his own. That is why so many has died under his reign and protesters been taken out like they were nothing. This is who he is and the Sudanese are ready for change.
To see the Old Man fall! Peace.



Like many Darfuris, Aziza, 52, has lived for decades in a fragile environment, characterized by growing climatic variability and periods of shortage.
NEW YORK, United States of America, March 15, 2019 – Four years ago, Aziza Mohammed Abdallah Mukhtar was scraping a living growing tobacco in the community of Zamzam in Sudan’s arid North Darfur State.
Like many Darfuris, Aziza, 52, has lived for decades in a fragile environment, characterized by growing climatic variability and periods of shortage. Her crops took seven months to mature under normal conditions, stretching the widowed mother of five’s resilience to breaking point.
Now, thanks to a project that spreads seasonal water to increase agricultural productivity and reduce soil erosion, Aziza has yielded thriving crops such as watermelon, sorghum, tomato, okra and sesame.
“This project has enabled me to finance my children’s education,” she says. Three of her children are now studying at universities in Khartoum.
UN Environment has been implementing the European Union-funded Wadi El Ku Catchment Management Project since 2014, partnering with local organization Practical Action, the Government of Sudan and communities such as Aziza’s.
Before the US$7.7 million project, Aziza’s land, close to the state capital of El Fasher, did not receive water from the wadi (a channel that fills up in the rainy season). The seven-metre-high water spreading embankment built under the project, which extends 1.2 kilometres along the Zamzam administrative area, has helped her and other locals to diversify agricultural output.
Two other embankments, three water channels and two water reservoirs have been constructed or rehabilitated. This has enabled nearly 1,600 households from 34 village councils to triple production of sorghum and millet, and grow vegetables and cash crops well into the dry season.
The benefits are not restricted to increasing resilience to droughts. With resources like water and land increasingly scarce, grievances also often arise between competing communities in Darfur. These lead to local conflicts, and played a major role in the war that broke out in 2003.
The project has helped reduce tensions, especially between pastoralists and crop farmers. Community councils from many villages meet to evaluate the best way of using the water, while committees ensure technical and political engagement at state level.
The second phase, launched in November 2018, aims to expand integrated water resource management to communities upstream and downstream of the Wadi El Ku catchment. It will directly benefit 80,000 households within the area.
“Less water availability impacts on health and food security. It triggers displacement of people and political instability,” says Jean-Michel Dumond, the European Union’s Ambassador to Sudan. “Our hope is that the same model could be reproduced in other regions. This will help local populations to better manage their natural resources in partnership towards a peaceful and profitable future.”
In East Darfur State, meanwhile, another UN Environment and European Union project, implemented by the UN Office for Project Services, is starting to make a similar difference to communities struggling to manage their resources.
“When I was growing up, there were less than 50 households here,” says Abdulrahman Ismail, a cleric who lives in East Darfur’s Bakhiet village. “Now, it has risen to more than 5,000. Trees have been decimated due to cooking energy demands.”
These environmental changes are just as common in other parts of the semi-arid state, which covers an area slightly larger than Greece and is home to about 1.5 million residents.
The East Darfur Natural Resources Management Project supports six communities by increasing their ability to implement natural resource management policy reform. In May 2018, nearly three years since the project’s launch, the East Darfur State Legislature passed the 2018 Council Act for Coordination and Management of Natural Resource Policies for East Darfur State.
The legislation is the first of its kind in Sudan and provides a framework for the joint management of resources by the state government and local communities. Through a separate piece of legislation passed in September, East Darfur is also working to promote the joint management of water yards, dams and other water sources within its Territory.
As climate change bites harder and populations continue to grow—in Darfur and many other regions across Africa—efforts that help communities share their resources will be crucial in preventing conflicts and minimizing the impacts of dry spells.
UN Environment has provided environmental support to Sudan since the 1990s. Its work spans natural resource management, livelihoods, climate change adaptation, environmental governance, peacebuilding and conflict resolution, and strengthening women’s roles in local peacebuilding processes.