Watch Sudan On June 30
June 30 will mark a pivotal and grim milestone in Sudan's history: 30 years of disastrous militarized, Islamic rule that has seen millions of Sudanese murdered and displaced, an economy in free fall, and a seething civil society that is just over all of it. This June has also marked 8 years of the regime's genocidal violence and humanitarian blockade in the southern Nuba Mountains region, where the majority of of our work is focused.
Earlier this week, Ismail al-Tag, a spokesman for the venerable Sudanese Professionals' Association, called for mass marches on June 30 to demand that the Military Council hand over power to civilians. This comes only weeks after the Military Council massacred and raped protesters in Khartoum, an atrocity that claimed over 100 lives, led to hundreds more Sudanese missing, and plunged the country into an internet blackout. And it comes on the heels of the junta rage rejecting yet another proposal to hand over power to civilians.
The call for renewed mass protests seems to be working. Over the past several days, small night protests in cities across Sudan have reemerged, are growing in size, and are spreading into daylight hours. Activists are finding creative ways to organize around the internet blackout. And protesters know exactly who they are up against and what the Military Council is capable of.
With June 30 only a few days away, the faltering diplomatic effort to intervene in Sudan needs to ramp up and finally meet the reality of the situation. There is a real threat that the Military Council will unleash its Rapid Support Forces attack dog once again on unarmed and peaceful protesters demanding their basic rights. American diplomats need to make it clear that any additional violence will lead to the United States going after Military Council leaders in a very personal way. That should include declaring the Rapid Support Forces a terrorist organization, travel bans, international asset seizures, targeted sanctions, and more. It is past time for the U.S. government to move from platitudes about supporting protesters to firm action to help protect Sudan's besieged pro-democracy and peace movement.
Sudan's revolution is far from over. On June 30, we will learn just how far recent junta crimes have set back Sudan's massive peaceful protest movement. If you would like to directly support the Sudanese people as they seek a better future, discover ways to do so below.
The people of Sudan are overcoming two of the greatest challenges facing humanity today: war and genocide. Operation Broken Silence is accelerating their ability to generate lasting change by funding storytelling and movement-building, education and emergency response, and grassroots advocacy programs. Here are a few ways you can join us:
1. Give Monthly To The Education In Yida. The Renewal is our unstoppable family of monthly givers who never stop fighting for change. They give automatically each and every month to the two schools we sponsor in Yida Refugee Camp, providing consistent support to 24 teachers and nearly 1,100 students from the Nuba Mountains. Right now, the schools are short about $2,500 in monthly funding. LEARN MORE »
2. Become A Fundraiser. If you can’t give monthly right now, you can start an online fundraising page for the schools in Yida or Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains warzone. BECOME A FUNDRAISER »
3. Give Once. Not ready to commit with a monthly gift or fundraising yet? That’s okay, making a one-time gift is the best next step to get your feet wet! GIVE HERE »
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