“Sudan Crisis: Ending of Public Order Law” by Ethan D.
President Omar al-Bashir was the seventh president of Sudan, ruling form 1989-2019. His laws and regulations directly tormented and discriminated against the 6.4 million women living there. Bashir has been at the head of controversy for most of his time in power. Throughout 2009 and 2010, Bashir was convicted and wanted for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and even genocide after 250,000 people were left dead. After 30 years of control and authority, the people had enough of president Bashir’s antics and hatred and began mass protests and demonstrations, leading to the arrest and eventual prosecution of the former president.
Sudan transitional government has recently repealed restrictive public order laws that controlled how women acted and dressed in public (“Sudan Crisis”). This public order law has devasted the women of Sudan for decades leaving them filled with anger and hatred towards their leaders. According to the Irish Times, these laws prevented women from traveling by themselves, spending time with men who were not their relatives, and even gave police the ability to arrest women if they wore such things as trousers. Laws of such subject are based solely off of terror and discrimination and have no place in any country across the globe.
The unrest in Sudan has been traced back to last December after president Bashir implemented “emergency austerity measures.” The biggest protests against President Bashir started soon after the price of bread was tripled. Following closely, ATM’s began to run out of money, and the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) redirected protests to end the reign of their president. Along with the end of President Bashir’s regime came the dissolvement of his national ruling party, the National Congress Party (NCP). The NCP was the leading “political vehicle” for the implementation of restrictive laws and castigating those that refused to follow them. After the president was overthrown by the national military, changes started occurring immediately. Sudan is currently considered to be ruled by a “joint military and civilian council”, according to BBC News. This means that the national military, as well as, multiple groups and associations ran by citizens of Sudan, are now controlling and changing the ways and means of life in their country. This long and troubling process of reform has just started, but the recent accomplishments are still a reason for celebration.
This overthrow of power and repeal of restrictive laws can be seen as a stepping stone for women all across the world. Along with countries in the Middle East, Sudan has had some of the most strict laws toward women in the world. As women and other minority groups see the changes that are occuring in places like Sudan, they also may gain the courage and strength to stand up and fight for the equality they deserve.
Do you think the NCP will try to overthrow the transitional government in place? If so, how?
What do you see as the next step for those living in Sudan or other restricted countries?
Are there ways for people living outside of these countries to help in their fight for freedom and equality.
Do you see this as a stepping stone for other groups living with discrimination and inequality?
Sudanese women celebrating after the ending of strict public order
Sudan transitional government has recently repealed restrictive public order laws that controlled how women acted and dressed in public (“Sudan Crisis”). This public order law has devasted the women of Sudan for decades leaving them filled with anger and hatred towards their leaders. According to the Irish Times, these laws prevented women from traveling by themselves, spending time with men who were not their relatives, and even gave police the ability to arrest women if they wore such things as trousers. Laws of such subject are based solely off of terror and discrimination and have no place in any country across the globe.
The unrest in Sudan has been traced back to last December after president Bashir implemented “emergency austerity measures.” The biggest protests against President Bashir started soon after the price of bread was tripled. Following closely, ATM’s began to run out of money, and the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) redirected protests to end the reign of their president. Along with the end of President Bashir’s regime came the dissolvement of his national ruling party, the National Congress Party (NCP). The NCP was the leading “political vehicle” for the implementation of restrictive laws and castigating those that refused to follow them. After the president was overthrown by the national military, changes started occurring immediately. Sudan is currently considered to be ruled by a “joint military and civilian council”, according to BBC News. This means that the national military, as well as, multiple groups and associations ran by citizens of Sudan, are now controlling and changing the ways and means of life in their country. This long and troubling process of reform has just started, but the recent accomplishments are still a reason for celebration.
This overthrow of power and repeal of restrictive laws can be seen as a stepping stone for women all across the world. Along with countries in the Middle East, Sudan has had some of the most strict laws toward women in the world. As women and other minority groups see the changes that are occuring in places like Sudan, they also may gain the courage and strength to stand up and fight for the equality they deserve.
Do you think the NCP will try to overthrow the transitional government in place? If so, how?
What do you see as the next step for those living in Sudan or other restricted countries?
Are there ways for people living outside of these countries to help in their fight for freedom and equality.
Do you see this as a stepping stone for other groups living with discrimination and inequality?
Works Cited
Hayden, Sally. “Sudan Repeals Public Order Law Restricting Women's Behaviour.” The Irish Times, The Irish Times, 29 Nov. 2019, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/africa/sudan-repeals-public-order-law-restricting-women-s-behaviour-1.4099134.
“Sudan Crisis: Women Praise End of Strict Public Order Law.” BBC News, BBC, 29 Nov. 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50596805.
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ReplyDeleteIt's great that we see movement in the right direction in the middle east. I don't think that the NCP will overthrow the new government, because they were recently dissolved and they received tons of backlash from everybody. I don't think there will be enough supporters to do this. I really do believe it can only get better from here.
ReplyDeleteI highly doubt that the NCP will try to overthrow the transitional government in place. Since the national military helped overthrow the president, they certainly would not try to help the NCP regain power again. Probably the next step for Sudan is to begin forming a structured government again. No one can say for certain how long this will take however. Its not everyday that a country overthrows its own president. With the transitional government in place, Sudan will hopefully begin making some leeway in their restructuring efforts. Regardless of how long it takes, Sudan will stand as an inspiration to other nations trapped under oppressive regimes. Their actions prove to others that it is possible overcome discrimination and inequality, even if it requires you to overthrow your own leader.
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