what’s going on?

• There’s a pro-democracy revolution in Sudan where peaceful protesters and civilians are being killed by the temporary paramilitary government group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The current Sudanese government (RSF) is lying about death tolls, mischaracterizing the violence, and creating an internet blackout to suppress Sudanese people.

why is this happening?

• In December 2018, while President Omar al-Bashir was in power, the Sudanese government increased the prices of food and goods, inciting peaceful protests - BBC

• In April 2019, President Omar Al-Bashir was ousted out of power after 30 years by peaceful protesters, and the Transitional Military Council (TMC) took over - Hasan Minhaj

• General Mohamed Hamdan, also known as Hemedti, obtained control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which essentially regulates the borders of Sudan - Hasan Minhaj

• The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) organized peaceful protests with the goal of moving towards a civilian rule - BBC

• On June 3rd, the RSF and Hemedti’s men, also known as the Janjaweed, began violence towards pro-democracy protesters wanting civilian rule in the capital, Khartoum. They have raped women, killed more than a hundred civilians, and thrown bodies into the Nile River - The Guardian

• The current government (TMC) has instituted an internet blackout in Sudan to control the narrative and stop Sudanese people from showing the reality of the violence to the world

• Western news outlets are not covering stories about Sudan and the RSF’s violence

• Different news media are providing different death counts, and leaked videos and information from Sudanese people information are similarly inconsistent

• Other countries have not made any significant efforts to provide aid to Sudan, while the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, and Egypt don’t condemn military violence - BBC

• On June 30th, pro-democracy protesters took to the streets of Khartoum again, demanding democracy and civilian rule - NYT

• At least 7 civilians were killed, with 181 others injured

• The African Union and Ethiopia have extended a joint proposal to mediate an end to the crisis in Sudan. Although both protesters and generals seem supportive of the proposal, protesters aren’t willing to resume negotiation talks with the TMC until they ratify the AU-Ethiopian proposal - TIME

what’s happening now?

• Sudanese ruling generals and protest leaders announced a power-sharing governing agreement!

• For just over three years, power will rotate between military and civilian leaders, after which elections will take place to mark the official transition to democratic rule

• The ruling council will be consist of 5 military leaders, 5 civilians, and an 11th civilian member agreed upon by both sides. A military general, who will most likely be head of the transitional council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, will lead the joint council for the first 21 months, and then a civilian leader will lead for the remaining 18 months before elections

• Beyond the interim joint military-civilian authority, both sides have committed to form an independent technocratic government to investigate the June 3 killings and other acts of violence under Hemeti’s military control (see a summary of the plan from Al Jazeera)

what can I do?

• Sudanese influencers have asked that because of the internet blackout, we continue to share their stories and news on our own social media platforms

• Text RESIST to 50409 to contact your elected officials and voice your concerns about the situation in Sudan

  • In the Sudan Master Document, find a letter and email template to send to your elected officials

• Change your profile picture to #MattarBlue in order to demonstrate solidarity with the Sudanese people as well as to honor Mohammed Mattar, who was killed in the revolution on June 3

• Donate to UNICEF, Save The Children, Rescue, and GoFundMe

• Sign the petition for the UN to investigate the June 3rd human rights violations in Sudan committed by the military: Change.org Petition

• Sign the White House petition to recognize the RSF as a terrorist organization

some organizations involved:

• UNICEF - the United Nations Children's Fund has several programs operating in Sudan focused on health, nutrition, clean water, basic education, and child protection

• University of Khartoum Alumni Association in North America - one of the leading groups connecting foreign donations with needs on the ground, including food and medicine.

• World Food Programme - helps with food assistance but also connects farmers to markets, teaches about nutrition, provides school meals, and explores how the changing climate will affect food security in the country

• Save The Children - they work on health, education, nutrition, and humanitarian responses — both in and out of conflict zones

• Relief International - offers a range of programs including nutrition programs, primary health care, reproductive health care, and more

social media guide:

• Hashtags to use/follow: #IAmTheSudanRevolution, #BlueForSudan, #MattarBlue, #SudanMassacre, #SudanUprising

  1. Accounts to follow: @unitedtohelp, @sudanesekitchen, @bsonblast on Instagram, @WHOSudan, @UNICEFSudan on Twitter

  2. Sample posts/stories/profile photos:

more information:

• Sudan Master Document - updated information on protests and the situation in Sudan

• Beware of fraudulent accounts claiming to provide aid to Sudan: Instagrammers Exploiting Sudan Crisis