Sudanese peacefully commemorate December revolution anniversary amid conflict

Scores of Sudanese took to some of the country’s main cities to mark the seventh anniversary of the country’s 2018 revolution, which saw the toppling of long-time leader Omar al-Bashir.

In scattered demonstrations in Khartoum and Port Sudan, Sudanese youth held signs which read: "Revolution, its fire is still alive", "Long live the resistance", and "The lion will stay proud in the streets of my country until its liberation or its fall".

Videos shared on social media showed Sudanese young and old in Omdurman’s Khalifa Square commemorating the anniversary of the 2018-2019 revolution, waving national and symbolic flags and chanting slogans, including: "Freedom, peace, and justice... the revolution is the people's choice."

According to the Sudanese media network Ayin Sudan, security forces fired tear gas at protesters, despite chants that the demonstrations were peaceful.

This prompted the protesters to retreat temporarily before regrouping in the side streets surrounding the square, according to the Turkish Anadolu agency.

The rallies come amid ongoing armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have disrupted public life and plunged the country back into a cycle of violence and instability since April 2023.

This is the first time Sudanese people have commemorated the revolution with public demonstrations since the war's outbreak more than a year and a half ago, which erupted following a power struggle between Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, the military leader of the RSF.

In Port Sudan, which the Sudanese government has designated as its temporary administrative capital, protesters demanded an end to the war and the establishment of civilian rule, chanting slogans including: "Free revolutionaries, we will continue the journey," and "No to war, yes to peace."

Some of the country’s prominent groups also made commemorative statements. The Sudanese Women’s Union said on Friday: "On this day, as we commemorate the sacrifices of the sons and daughters of our nation who took to the streets and chanted with one voice for a democratic, civilian state where rights are protected, and human dignity is respected."

"This anniversary comes as our country languishes under a devastating war that has exhausted its citizens, threatened the unity and future of Sudan, and imposed double burdens on women to survive daily and protect their families and communities."

"It is an ongoing struggle, fueled by the enduring flame of December."

The December revolution saw Sudanese take to the streets on 19 December 2018, in protest against Omar al-Bashir’s authoritarian rule and economic woes. The protests culminated in a coup d’etat that toppled al-Bashir, after 30 years of being in power.

Currently, Sudan is experiencing one of the world’s most catastrophic humanitarian crises, where men, women, and children are being subjected to executions, hunger, and sexual violence. The war has also seen several war crimes take place, such as mass graves.

More than 150,000 people have been killed, with over 14 million people displaced and millions more in desperate need of humanitarian aid.

Detained medical staff released

On Saturday, the Sudanese Doctors Network said that nine out of 73 medical staff detained by the RSF paramilitaries have been released in Nyala, South Darfur State.

The network said the move was "positive and in the right direction," stressing "the necessity of completing it by releasing all detained medical personnel and civilians without exception and ensuring their safety and respect for their human rights in accordance with international laws and conventions."

Of Sudan's 18 states, the RSF controls the five Darfur states, with the exception of parts of North Darfur, while the army maintains control over most of the remaining 13 states, including the capital, Khartoum.