Enough 101: Glossary of #SudanRevolts Terms
Posted by Marjon Momand on Jul 17, 2012 Editor’s Note: This post is intended to provide a contextual background for understanding the complex issues that the Enough Project works on. It is part of the series Enough 101. On June 16, student-led protests broke out in Sudan’s capital in response to austerity measures announced by President Omar al-Bashir. Since then, waves of anti-regime protests have swept through Sudan, reflecting widespread frustration with the brutality of Bashir’s 23-year-long regime and his failed economic policies. Despite a media crackdown and over 2,000 arrests, protesters continue to take to the streets. This glossary of terms can be used as a guide for understanding the recent demonstrations in Sudan. Sandstorm Friday During the first week of protests, most demonstrations were student-led. However, activists urged all Sudanese citizens to mobilize on Friday, June 22, naming the protest “Sandstorm Friday,” a reference to the sandstorms that often take place at this time of year. Fridays are frequently chosen as a day to mobilize because congregational worship and prayers take place on that day. On June 22, hundreds of Sudanese took to the streets after the Friday prayers. The protest movement expanded beyond the university community and gained significant momentum after Sandstorm Friday. #FreeUsamah Sudan’s security forces cracked down heavily on journalists and activists following the events of Sandstorm Friday. Usamah Mohamed, a popular social media activist, was arrested on June 22. After his arrest, a massive Twitter campaign was launched to bring attention to the blogger’s detainment, using the hashtag #FreeUsamah. The activist group Girifna reports that Usamah was transferred to Kober prison and may face long-term detainment. Elbow-Licking After protesters took to the streets for the second week in a row, Bashir’s top aide, Nafie Ali Nafie, claimed that toppling the regime would be as impossible as licking one’s elbow. Protesters threw this assertion in the regime’s face, when activist groups like Girifna called for mass protests on a day dubbed “Elbow Licking Friday.” On Friday, June 29, hundreds of Sudanese took to the streets bearing posters with slogans like: “We will lick our elbows, Nafie, and yes, it is personal.” Democratic Alternative Charter Anti-regime protests have occurred in Sudan before, yet failed to gain much momentum. But analysts say that this recent series of protests may signal the end of Bashir’s rule because, for the first time, opposition parties are presenting a unified front against the Khartoum regime. On July 4, leaders of Sudan’s main opposition parties signed the Democratic Alternative Charter, a roadmap for democratic transition after the fall of the regime. This charter symbolized the unified stance the opposition parties presented against Bashir’s rule. Kendake Friday Kendake means “strong women” in the Cushitic language. On July 11, activists announced that they are preparing for a peaceful demonstration on Friday, July 13, dubbed “Kendake Friday.” The protest aimed to honor the role of women in this recent wave of protests and in Sudanese society. Read other Enough coverage about the protests in Sudan at our #SudanRevolts page. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
