The People's Power Myth in Sudan

BY: Chol Deng Chol, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

DEC 12/2009, SSN; The People’s Power or (Citizens’ Supremacy) is usually celebrated around the world as a bloodless demonstration or revolution. The people’s power can influence decision-making process in Democratic, Military, and dictatorial governments.  

Nevertheless, the people power can make political sense as by enabling them to express their voices in order to achieve some measure of legitimacy for a nation’s policies. In Africa, two systems of government exist after the colonial rule: military and democracy governments. 

But the military rule underestimates the democracy system, like in Sudan whereas the democracy system is an anemic phenomenon, while the military rule is more energetically. In modern times, people always protest for something they want to change as it was the same in colonial times.  

While the story unfolded in plain sight, the events that happened on December 6, 2009 in Sudan in which the Sudanese authorities arrested the SPLM Secretary General, Pagan Amum and his deputy Yassir Arman, because of their participation in public demonstration; were misinterpreted and romanticized by the Khartoum Government and media as a popular uprising to overthrow the world’s most wanted man, president Omer Basir’s Government.  

In Sudan, for instance, citizens do not communicate their views in any meaningful way through elections. For example, the demonstration which was organized by the SPLM Secretary General, Pa’gan Amum, with his Deputy Mr. Yasir Arman, took place because the ruling party (NCP) had failed to meet the need of the people, particularly in regard to electoral law, as enshrined in the CPA.

The right to free speech is one of the most precious rights any citizen yearns to enjoy. This right gives people the opportunity to speak their mind and give their opinion on whatever they think should happen. People wanted their voice to be heard in a peaceful manner as it is both a legal prerogative and obligation.

Alas, it resulted in punishment of the Sudanese people by the Khartoum government. People have never questioned whether or not these rights should exist, the questions involve whether there should be limits or not in Sudan? Because people are not taking advantage of their right to free speech as they deem fit, they end up being arrested.

Freedom is not something we have gained through the efforts of our ancestors; but, rather, it is something which we are born with; it comes with life's package. As I have already asserted, freedom is necessary to our continued involvement in life.

In this time, the Sudan government must not use force on its citizens; the government should and must allow people to express their opinions publicly without discrimination based on gender, race and religion. The government is doing cruel things to its citizens in the country.

President Omer al-Bashir should have learnt something on his part, when the people around the world protested against International Criminal Court (ICC) because of his indictment (charges) and nobody was arrested.

Thanks.

Chol Deng Chol, is a graduate student, BA (Hon) holder International Relations and Development Studies, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Can be reached at choldengchol@rocketmail.com

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