Up to 400 Sudanese activists and their supporters marched through central London on December 16, 2023, to commemorate the anniversary of the revolution that began on December 19, 2018. The demonstrators called for global attention to the ongoing violence in Sudan, where a civil war has claimed approximately 400,000 lives and displaced millions since its escalation in April 2023.
As the conflict continues, the humanitarian crisis deepens. A briefing provided to British MPs earlier this month revealed that 150,000 residents of El Fasher in the Darfur region remain unaccounted for. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia has been implicated in the deaths of at least 60,000 individuals, transforming a city that once thrived with 1.5 million inhabitants into a landscape of devastation.
Calls for Action and Accountability
Protesters urged the British government to halt arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, asserting that these weapons have ended up with the RSF in exchange for Sudan’s gold. They also voiced skepticism regarding the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which had previously collaborated with the RSF to suppress the original revolution.
Speaker Tasneem praised the courage of the Sudanese people for their uprising seven years ago, stating, “The Sudanese revolution stands as a symbol of resistance with grassroots efforts for the freedom of the Sudanese people and a transition to democratic rule.” She noted that while many view the SAF as the last line of defense against the RSF’s brutality, it is essential to recognize that the SAF has also committed serious violations.
Elbashir, a representative from the Sudan Revolution Support Group in Cardiff, highlighted the grassroots organization among ordinary Sudanese citizens. He explained how they formed resistance committees to support revolutionary demands and established emergency response rooms to shield themselves from counter-revolutionary violence. “The people are only kept alive by ordinary folk like you and me,” he remarked, emphasizing community resilience in the face of adversity.
Solidarity Across Movements
Miriam, a member of the National Education Union (NEU), discussed the pivotal role of organized labor in the revolution. She pointed out that 35,000 teachers in Sudan participated in strikes in 2022, which she described as exemplary in terms of organization and unity. “Their strike was organised by a strike committee, by representatives from all parts of the country,” she said, drawing parallels to labor movements in the UK.
The demonstration also echoed sentiments from the Palestine solidarity movement, with marchers chanting, “From Gaza to Darfur, stop the killing, stop the war.” A large group carried a banner in support of Palestinian prisoners currently on hunger strike in British prisons, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of struggles for justice and human rights.
As the march concluded, the commitment to raise awareness about Sudan’s plight was clear. The activists aim not only to draw attention to the suffering of their homeland but also to demand accountability from international actors implicated in the ongoing violence. The message resonated loudly: the world must not forget Sudan, and solidarity across borders remains vital in the fight for justice.
