News & Updates
Check out the latest from Sudan and our movement
Coup In Sudan, Military Seizes Power
On Monday morning, Sudan’s military seized power. Here is what happened and some ways you can help.
Early this morning, the Sudanese military dissolved Sudan’s transitional government, arrested Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other civilian officials, and attempted to shut off the country’s internet. An illegal state of emergency has been declared.
The whereabouts of Prime Minister Hamdok and his wife are unknown. Large numbers of army soldiers and Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries have entered Khartoum, and we have received reports of live ammunition being used against unarmed, peaceful protesters. Civic organizers and neighborhood resistance committees across Sudan are calling for people to take to the streets in peaceful protest.
This is a coup. Once again, the Sudanese people find themselves on a collision course with the hydra-headed monster that is Sudan’s heavily-armed security forces.
The threat of mass violence against unarmed civilians cannot be understated. This is a rapidly deteriorating situation with potentially explosive consequences. The last time the military seized power in 2019, their deplorable actions gave way to a horrifying massacre of unarmed civilians.
This military coup comes a mere three days after the largest peaceful protests in favor of civilian rule since 2019 . The Sudanese people are speaking: this is not what they want.
Sudan’s transition to democracy, peace, and justice is on life support. These next few weeks are critical to staving off disaster. We’ll be keeping you updated during this time period, but we also can’t wait to act.
How You Can Help
Operation Broken Silence has been working alongside our Sudanese partners on the ground for a decade. Our mission has always been focused on the long run, which is why supporting Sudanese teachers in the Nuba Mountains region remains our top priority.
In times of urgent crisis like this, we often see sudden outbursts of mass violence, large population movements, and soaring needs. We need to send an extra $10,000 to the 24 Sudanese teachers we support ASAP so that they can continue their critical work through the end of the year, no matter what happens. The fastest and easiest way to help us reach our emergency $10,000 goal is to give online right now.
We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the United States. Your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Here are two additional ways you can help.
Give crypto.
We believe crypto can change the world because we’ve already seen crypto change lives in Sudan. Whether you are one of our current cryptocurrency donors or new to our mission, donating some of what you HODL is a preferred giving method.
Donating crypto means you can end up paying no capital gains taxes on appreciated crypto, get a fair market value deduction, and the teachers receive an even larger donation than if you sold your crypto, paid taxes, and then donated fiat.
An important note: we are unable to refund crypto donations at this time. We’ve made donating crypto to our mission super easy through this form, but it’s on you to give the correct amount.
Complete the short form to give or learn more here.
Fundraise through Eden’s Run 5K.
If you aren’t in a position to make a donation, you can register for our annual 5K for free and ask friends and family to donate through your fundraising page. This global event is virtual. You can run from wherever you are or just sign up to fundraise and skip running.
Every penny counts right now. Use promo code SUDAN to register for free and claim your fundraising page.
The past two years have often felt impossible. A major source of encouragement for me has been watching our Sudanese friends strive for a better future against the remnants of a genocidal regime, democratic backsliding worldwide, and a global pandemic.
The progress they have made against all odds is remarkable, and it is now in jeopardy. Let’s be sure that we each play our small part in helping to give our Sudanese friends the best chance for continued progress. I just gave. Will you join me?
Onward,
Mark C. Hackett
Executive Director
Operation Broken Silence
Mass protests in Sudan as democratic transition in peril
Hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators poured into the streets of Khartoum and other major cities on Thursday.
Hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators poured into the streets of Khartoum and other major cities on Thursday, demanding full civilian rule in the face of a looming military takeover of Sudan’s fragile transitional government.
The protests come as military and civilian authorities are locked in an intense power struggle over Sudan’s uncertain future. Over the past several weeks, a failed coup attempt, bitter accusations, and a worsening security atmosphere have threatened to give way to mass violence against civilians in major population centers by the security forces.
Former dictator Omar al-Bashir at a hearing on corruption charges. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah. Licensed via Adobe.
Background
Sudan’s peaceful revolution in 2019 swept from power several key elements of the Bashir regime, including indicted war criminals, corrupt politicians, and the authoritarian Islamist faction that oversaw multiple genocides and civil wars that tore the country apart and made Sudan a safe haven for international terrorists.
Shortly after a period of chaos that gave way to the June 3 Khartoum massacre, a transitional government was formed that promised to move Sudan toward democratic rule. This government includes new civilian leaders and surviving military and paramilitary commanders from the Bashir era.
This was a hopeful moment to be sure; however, deep down, everyone has known that this transitional period was going to be fraught with risk. Those risks now seem to be coming to a head all at once: entitled generals hellbent on protecting their kleptocracy, civilian leaders frustrated with the military’s intransigence, a shattered economy being strangled by surviving regime elements, and Sudan’s long-oppressed periphery regions running out of patience.
Sudanese protestors in Khartoum. AP Photo/Hussein Malla. Licensed via AP.
The Current Crisis
The Sudanese army and its fragile alliance of competing paramilitary groups is pushing to dissolve the civilian side of the government headed by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The generals appear to be pulling out all the stops: dramatic shows of armed force, a multi-faceted disinformation campaign, and support for small pro-military protests, which are a mere fraction of the size of pro-civilian government demonstrations.
Pro-democracy leaders called for mass demonstrations in response to the military threat. On Thursday, business shut down as hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets of Khartoum, where they were met with heavy tear gas, minimal gunfire, and a large security presence. The demonstrators chanted anti-military slogans, waved Sudanese flags, and demanded a full-blown civilian government.
If crowd estimates are accurate, Thursday marked the largest pro-democracy demonstrations since the transitional government was formed. The Sudanese Professionals Association —the primary organizing force behind the peaceful 2019 revolution— released a statement saying "There is no retreat from the streets until the handover of power."
At the moment, it appears that military leaders may have overplayed their hand. The sheer size of Thursday’s demonstrations show that the backbone of Sudan’s revolution —the ability to organize and take control of the streets— is still very much alive and well. And despite Sudan’s struggling economy and slowing social progress, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok remains widely popular. The seriousness of this moment is showing that a large majority of the Sudanese people remain committed to securing a democratic future.
What Comes Next & International Efforts
Pro-civilian government demonstrations are likely to continue until the military can honestly show that it is no longer trying to create the conditions to seize power or undermine progress. While it is encouraging to see so many of the Sudanese people once again rise up and demand a better future, we are also deeply concerned for the safety of peaceful protestors.
Rapid Support Forces paramilitary soldiers in Khartoum. REUTERS/Umit Bektas. Licensed via Adobe.
The military side of the transitional government has a long history of brutalizing and murdering Sudanese who are exercising their basic rights. This is particularly true of Bashir-era paramilitary outfits such as the Rapid Support Forces, the group that was largely responsible for the June 6, 2019 massacre in Khartoum. Any large-scale deployment of paramilitary or regular army forces in Sudan against protestors should be seen as a warning sign of planned atrocities.
This rapidly deteriorating situation seems to have set off alarm bells in various parts of the U.S. government. The U.S. embassy in Khartoum issued a call for demonstrators to remain peaceful and is throwing full support to Sudan’s transition to democracy. The State Department is dispatching U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman to Khartoum. Feltman is set to arrive in Khartoum on Friday with both a hopeful message and a warning, saying yesterday:
“If the transition is interrupted, if one side or the other in this [civilian-military] partnership tries to prevail, then the US support for all of these issues, including debt relief, will be in question. My trip will just reinforce the strong US support for the Sudanese transition, but also make it clear that our continued support depends on that transition moving forward. We want to see what we can do to support the forward momentum, the forward progress.”
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee also threw Congressional support to civilian leaders and the Sudanese people, issuing a statement citing American support to the democratic cause and a call for the international community to “reign in the malign forces seeking to undermine the country's transition.”
As the situation in Sudan remains tense, we must not forget that the people who most need Sudan’s revolution to succeed live far away from Khartoum, in the country’s still oppressed hinterlands.
Operation Broken Silence is still the only nonprofit in the world funding community-led education efforts in Yida Refugee Camp. Yida is home to many people who fled the war in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan years ago. The majority of people living here are children.
Without the Endure Primary and Renewal Secondary Schools that we support in Yida, the entire education system would collapse. You can help Nuba teachers raise up the next generation of Sudanese leaders by pitching in what you can.
Operation Broken Silence is building a global movement to empower the Sudanese people through innovative programs as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law.
Letter To Biden Administration Calling For Senior Level Engagement In Sudan
Operation Broken Silence has joined 120+ NGOs, faith groups, and experts and scholars in calling on the Biden Administration to appointment an ambassador or special envoy to Sudan.
With the security and political situation in Sudan changing daily, now is the time for President Biden to appoint an ambassador or special envoy to Sudan.
In 2019, elements of Sudan’s genocidal security forces joined protesters in overthrowing former President Omar al-Bashir and his National Congress Party. While this was a joyous moment, this uneasy alliance was always destined to be short-lived. The first warning shot of this reality came on June 6, 2019 —not even two months after Bashir was toppled— when the regime’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) massacred their way through the streets of Khartoum.
Despite those horrific atrocities, the protest movement reclaimed the streets and secured a partial victory with a transitional power arrangement between their civilian leaders and the begrudging heads of the security agencies.
Since then, Sudan’s attempted transition away from genocidal dictatorship to a fledgling democracy has ground to a near standstill. It has become clear just how much the agendas of the two sides differ. As civilian leaders seek serious, systemic change in how Sudan is governed, the security forces are determined not to lose their coveted power and the predatory economic systems that permit their survival.
To complicate the current situation, fractures exist in both the civilian and security coalitions, with the escalating tensions between the Sudanese army and paramilitary groups such as the RSF foreshadowing a civil war between the security agencies. And in Sudan’s still-oppressed hinterlands, armed opposition movements from the Bashir days remain deeply distrustful of Khartoum.
Recent events in Sudan are cause for even greater alarm. On September 21, the transitional government announced that it had suppressed a coup attempt. As military and civilian leaders traded accusations about why the coup attempt happened, the security forces suspended scheduled meetings with civilian leaders and withdrew security guards from civilian ministerial roles.
THE LETTER
Operation Broken Silence has joined 120+ NGOs, experts, and scholars in calling on the Biden Administration to appointment an ambassador or special envoy to Sudan.
Read the letter and see the full list of signatories.
Today, more than two years after Sudan’s peaceful revolution swept core elements of the Bashir regime from power, the United States still has no ambassador to Sudan.
This means that the United States is missing critical opportunities to support civilian officials, grassroots activists, and community and religious leaders who are pursuing a genuine transition to democracy. Without an ambassador or special envoy, the United States also stands to miss out on business development and comprehensive reform efforts that can help bring stability and peace to Sudan.
While we retain our belief that it is ultimately up to the Sudanese people to move their country forward, the United States can play an important supportive role. Greater U.S. diplomatic engagement now can help secure important progress tomorrow. We urge President Biden to take action by appointing an experienced diplomat to the role of ambassador or special envoy now.
Get Involved
Operation Broken Silence is the only nonprofit in the world funding community-led education efforts in Yida Refugee Camp. Without Endure Primary and Renewal Secondary Schools that we support there, the entire education system serving Sudanese refugees here would collapse.
Our 12th annual Eden’s Run 5K is coming up on November 12-14! We’re raising $20,000 for the 24 teachers and 1,400 students at these two special schools in Yida. With the support of compassionate runners and walkers, school supplies are being delivered, teachers are receiving paychecks, and more students are gaining access to the education they need to build a better Sudan. You can sign up from wherever you are!
Additional ways to support:
Make checks payable to Operation Broken Silence, write 5K in the memo line, and mail to P.O. Box 770900 Memphis, TN, 38177-0900
About Us
Operation Broken Silence is building a global movement to empower the Sudanese people through innovative programs as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
We focus on empowering Sudanese change makers and their critical work. Learn more.
Donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Give here.
Operation Broken Silence Named a “Best in Classy” Nonprofit
Today, we are excited to announce that Operation Broken Silence has been named a top nonprofit for achieving one of the best donor experiences.
Today, we are excited to announce that Operation Broken Silence has been named a Best in Classy nonprofit, celebrated for achieving one of the best donor experiences on the Classy giving platform.
Best in Classy recognizes fundraising excellence within the Classy nonprofit community, which includes over 6,000 of the world’s top nonprofits. This recognition showcases how we create supporter-centric campaigns that get our movement involved with our mission in Sudan.
Best Donor Experience
Operation Broken Silence was named a top nonprofit in the Best Donor Experience category for providing each supporter with the simplest and most fulfilling path to give.
Determined by a proprietary formula created by Classy’s data team, who measured key factors proven to lead to a positive donor experience, and with the insight of Classy’s internal experts, we were recognized as a top nonprofit leading the way in the Classy community.
Over the past decade, our team has believed that people around the world would help change makers in Sudan, but only if they were given the opportunity to do so. A key part of our mission has been to provide that opportunity in a compelling way. This recognition from Classy is another sign that our approach is working.
Additionally, our top-notch giving experiences help our supporters stay connected with our cause. Classy provides us the tools to make this happen on every campaign we present to our movement. Explore the Best in Classy list for more information.
COVID-19 has now been reported in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Mother of Mercy Hospital has two small isolation wards. There is no consistent supply of personal protection equipment, hand sanitizer, or simple soap. There are no ICU beds. The staff have made masks out spare cloth.
With the support of compassionate fundraisers and donors like you, supplies are being delivered, local nurses and midwives are being trained, and more people are receiving the healthcare they need.
Additional ways to support:
Make checks payable to Operation Broken Silence, write Hospital in the memo line, and mail to P.O. Box 770900 Memphis, TN, 38177-0900
About Us
Operation Broken Silence is building a global movement to empower the Sudanese people through innovative programs as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
We focus on empowering Sudanese change makers and their critical work. Learn more.
Donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Give here.
Eden's Run 5K: 2021 Toolkit
Everything you need to know and do before race day!
The 12th annual Eden's Run 5K is from November 12-14, 2021! This year's event is virtual again due to the pandemic. You can run from wherever you call home!
If you haven’t registered yet, let’s go ahead and knock that out right now.
Crush Your Goal
Every runner has to reach their $75 fundraising goal by November 14.
Let’s blow your fundraising goal out of the water in 15 minutes!
Download Your Runner Guide
We have a tailor-made guide just for you! Download the one you need below.
You started a team when you registered and need to recruit some runners!
You joined a team when you registered and need to be an awesome follower!
You registered on your own and are running solo on race weekend!
Social Tools
Get powerful social media resources to help you raise more money and recruit more runners to Eden’s Run 5K!
*If you use Venmo to accept donations, you are responsible for sending them to the OBS Venmo account. We’re @OperationBrokenSilence. We’ll manually credit to your fundraising page the Venmo donations you send us!
Merch Store
Because this year’s entrance fee and fundraising minimums are so low, we have a separate online store for those who want shirts, hoodies, leggings, and more!
Questions
Don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here to help you succeed.
Onward,
Mark C. Hackett
Executive Director
Operation Broken Silence
Matching Gift Update
Give right now and your donation will be doubled!
COVID-19 did severe damage to our mission in 2020, particularly against our fundraising infrastructure and efforts.
Thankfully, we had our Endowment Fund to lean on during the most difficult season we’ve ever faced. This special fund prevented Operation Broken Silence from having to shutter any of our programs or permanently close our doors.
As I’ve mentioned in previous updates to you, this year is one of rebuilding. We expect this work will continue well into 2022, as we push to restore full funding to our Sudanese partners and discover new ways to grow our movement in an uncertain environment.
Part of our rebuilding effort is growing our Endowment Fund, increasing our resilience in the face of whatever crisis comes next. Earlier this year, a generous private donor saw the tremendous value of our decision to have an Endowment and subsequently offered to match all donations made to it, up to a total of $25,000.
Thanks to your giving, over half of this generous match has been claimed! $11,768 in matched donations remain. If you haven’t given yet, now is a great time to help us continue making progress.
Our Endowment, Explained
We started this special fund in 2016. It is made up of a series of strategic investments including mutual funds, cash savings, and cryptocurrencies. Earned dividends and interests are used to support the organization and our mission. The Endowment Fund is overseen by our Board Treasurer, Executive Director, and financial advisor.
Why is this fund important?
The Endowment Fund is our answer to a simple question: how do we ensure our doors are always open to the Sudanese people, no matter what?
This isn't a hypothetical. When COVID-19 careened into our mission in 2020, giving ground to a halt. Our Endowment gave us space to adapt, launch new fundraising efforts, and help our Sudanese partners continue their work.
Simply put, our Endowment Fund has already proven to be incredibly useful. And the faster it grows, the more sustainable our mission becomes.
How is my gift used?
Your generosity is deposited into a savings account and immediately starts generating interest. Once a certain amount of cash donations hit our account, a majority of those gifts are invested in a mutual fund. Your gift begins generating a higher level of dividends, effortlessly multiplying your impact as the months and years go by.
If you donate an investment such as a stock or cryptocurrency, we will evaluate the long-term quality of your gift. It may be kept as is or reinvested elsewhere to meet our needs. There are four primary ways to make a matched donation to our Endowment Fund.
Checks can be made payable to Operation Broken Silence with Endowment written in the memo line and mailed to PO Box 770900 Memphis, TN 38177-0900.
While there’s no deadline for securing the rest of this matching gift, we need to wrap this campaign up sooner rather than later. Doing so will narrow the scope of our rebuilding agenda, freeing up valuable staff time we can use to determine the future of our events and grow The Renewal recurring giving family.
I remain cautiously optimistic about the future of our mission. There is still much work to be done amid many unknowns; but we’re slowly and steadily making good progress. Your gift to our Endowment Fund is another small step in that direction. Thank you, and take care.
Onward,
Mark C. Hackett
Executive Director
About Us
Operation Broken Silence is building a global movement to empower the Sudanese people through innovative programs as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
We focus on empowering Sudanese change makers and their critical work. Learn more.
Donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Give here.