Protest in NYC: January 14, 2024- A Reflection By Nuralhoda Elsaid
It doesn't shock anyone who's been following the horrors of the war in Sudan that the United Arab Emirates has played a devastating role in the loss of innocent lives. The United Arab Emirates has been more than just a silent spectator; it has actively funded, supported, and backed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In the wake of this support, a genocide has unfolded, claiming the lives of more than 5,000 civilians and displacing over four million people since April.
What is happening in Sudan
Let's take a step back to comprehend the roots of the genocide in Sudan. Burhan assumed control with Hemedti as his right-hand man following the overthrow of al-Bashir and a subsequent coup. There were negotiations between military and civilian leaders to restore Sudan to a democratic transition, ending the political crisis, months leading up to the April 15th attacks. However, tensions between the generals erupted, leading to demands for the disbandment of the RSF and its integration into the army. On April 15, fighting broke out in Khartoum, a culmination of tensions between Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. Once allies orchestrated a coup in 2021, they dissolved Sudan's power-sharing government and derailed its transition to democracy. This unrest set the stage for a tragic turn of events.
Day of Solidarity
January 14th marks the Day of Solidarity for the Sudanese Diaspora, and we embodied that solidarity in the form of a protest outside the United Arab Emirates embassy in New York City. We passionately demanded the immediate cessation of U.A.E. funding for the RSF, and acknowledgment of their role in the Sudanese genocide. This protest, originating at the embassy, concluded with poignant remarks from the Sudanese Diaspora at Washington Square Park.
I anticipated heightened emotions entering the protest, but the depth of anger caught me off guard. It's been 274 days since the first shots were fired on April 15, 2023, and the Sudanese Diaspora has been endlessly posting on social media and magnifying the lives that were lost since. However, it never seems to be enough. I was disheartened by the absence of support from the non-Black Arab community, not raising awareness about what is going on in Sudan, and not showing up to protest to support the cause. These are the same Arabs who claim to love their Sudanese friends, the ones who see the Sudanese community continuously amplifying the numerous causes coming out of the Middle East, including the Palestinian cause. It's disheartening then to see the Arab community that I grew up with pick and choose the causes they decide to amplify, throwing the burden to the Sudanese Diaspora to carry alone, to tirelessly educate, and beg for someone to listen.
To the Sudanese Diaspora
Continue to use your voices to amplify the Sudanese cause, continue to be the voice for the voiceless, continue to show up for one another, and remember to reevaluate your friendships. Reflect on which friends of yours show up to support causes that are near and dear to you, and which ones remind you that your burdens are not yours to carry alone. After all, Sudan is not just your home, it's your identity, it's who you are. It's not a topic you can shy away from, and avoid to make those around you comfortable. Sudan is crying, and it is the responsibility of your friends and community members to hear and tend to her sobs too. So continue to speak about Sudan, for even when others stay silent, remember, "There is no victory except from Allah."