African Spring 114: #SudanRevolts

African Spring 114: #SudanRevolts

Kampala, Uganda, June 22, 2012

http://p.twimg.com/AvwqjyPCMAAcR27.jpg
June 19, Khartoum

The times that an autocratic government could suppress all information about bloody repression of demonstrations seems to lie behind us. As an example I would like to direct you to http://stream.aljazeera.com/ and more specific the ‘Student-led #SudanRevolts enter sixth day’ stream. Another site is http://www.girifna.com/ (also on Facebook) Nonviolent Resistance Movement = We are fed up

Through a mixture of civic journalism, tweets, blogs, Facebook groups, videoclips of events and traditional journalism new style (trained and employes journalists) giving texture, analysis, cross checking and background to events taking place now, now we can see events taking place live and participate in them, through mini comments (tweets) and macro comments (blogs, recorded videos).

One can see Facebook as the ultimate armchair site to ‘like’ events, click and protest. Yet that is but one level. Through social media knowledge about current or past events - think the Kony2012 campaign getting over 100 million views - can be rapidly dispersed. How we act after knowing is still another step. 

For one and a half year very small demonstrations have been taking place in Sudan. Much of it is planned on Facebook. Right now it is a few hundred people, mainly students stepping up, but dissent in Sudan about the regime of Omer al Bashir et al is common, yet so is the suppression and monitoring thereof. Few will give up power without a struggle. The powers that be have been in place since 1989. The seeds of discontent are budding to be flowers of demonstrations. 

Students are taking the first steps now - in protesting that is - active (and armed) resistance movement have been common in Sudan even before it became independent in 1956. From all corner of the country and by many different groups, tribes and religious groups. That central power that wants to eat the cake and have it is not leaving. Many more will need to join the protests to change the status quo.

What is sure is that the economical situation in Sudan is not getting better any time soon. Let us see if more people find the courage to get on the street and confront the powers of oppression. 

Namaskar,

Ashis 

http://southsudaninfo.net/wp-content/uploads/al_bashir_icc_mugshot.jpg

http://hurryupharry.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/girifna.jpg
Girifna = We are fed up