Alamein Ismail, a 22-year police officer working on his regular shift in East Khartoum, was standing outside a barber shop. Little did he notice a gunshot which pierced his eye. He crawled and mourned for help yet little to anyone’s notice. The shot seemed to emanate out of a ruck of paramilitary overrunning the streets and ravaging the stores. Just a few months back the citizens were commemorating their victory as Omar al-Bashir was ousted. However, the celebrations preceded for a little while as it witnessed one of the most mind-boggling ethnic cleansings. The emotional disgust aroused by this one little instance is not even a zilch of the mental trauma the localities are witnessing.
It all started in December 2018 wherein the inflation soared general price levels so much so that the prices of wheat bread tripled. Since the economy was already in the throes of poverty and unemployment, it stirred transgressions against the state. the rabble-rousers exhorted the spirit of libertarianism inciting rebellion, especially amongst youth. They carried out numerous demonstrations coercing the government to step down from his dictatorial throne. Omar al-Bashir, since 1989, had dictatorial control over the state. The pro-democrats demanded a democratic succession with a scent of freedom as the economy was struck in the pangs of gruesome violence taking a toll of 29 lives by January 2019.
The turmoil was followed by a military coup in April 2019 ousting Omar and imprisoning him for life. The feeling of infinitude arose celebrations, which didn’t remain ever-lasting since a democracy couldn’t be resurrected as expected. The pro-democracy protestors continued their protests for democracy fronting many government agencies. However, they were brutally beaten to death on June 3. Perhaps, the paramilitaries including Rapid Security Forces (militia responsible for genocide in Darfur) followed the pursuit to minister to the voracity of leaders particularly elite members of the so called “Transitional Military Council”. It is a group of security forces leading the march towards libertarianism led by Abdel Fattah Burhan. TMC formed an interim government and avowed conducting elections within nine months. The question remained on who would be in charge of the highest decision making body during the transition phase. However, the refusal to expedite the formation of the sovereign council led to civil strife. After seizing powers, TMC banned internet to prevent feigned information from spreading and inflicted huge violence. They murdered many rabble-rousers, raped women and disposed their bodies into the Nile. As per the records of Central Committee of Sudan Doctors, 118 dead bodies have been identified of which at least 40 were fished out of Nile.
As of now, Sudanese junta fears of the pressing charges against it, in the International Court of Justice. Many countries have condemned the violence which is believed to evolve into civil war if these demagogues, driven by their selfish motives would try emasculating the newly formed parliament. The most intriguing question is whether Sudanese are heading towards another critical juncture like the Glorius Revolution in England or the French Revolution that induced a transition towards a pluralistic economy. The economic and political powers in a nation are disrupted during a period of a critical juncture. The process creates a positive feedback loop that impedes the differential growth resulting in balanced power. Sudan experienced such critical juncture at the time of ousting Omar al-Bashir, however, the state failed to propagate democratic principles. Perhaps, the chances of Sudan to a desirable state like this, vying with the “theory of path dependence”, may seem tremendous provided restoration of democracy is followed by a rule of law inclusive for all.
-Truth
Destiny with Truth 