The American newspaper "The Washington Post" said that it is the duty of the free world to do everything in its power to help the Sudanese people reach again the path of democracy, "which, at first glance, seemed to have finally taken place after the popular revolution that toppled the dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Before a new, unpopular military coup swept the country during the recent period."
The newspaper stated - in an article by its Iranian-born opinion writer, Jizon Rezaian - that the speech of Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok at the United Nations headquarters in 2019, where he stressed that "in the new Sudan, journalists will never be imprisoned again", constituted an important "optimistic moment" in the history of modern Sudan.
Although the hopes that the page of authoritarian rule has been turned forever began to dissipate, the writer adds, the spirit of defiance of the Sudanese people in the face of the military is still strong and inspiring, and it was evident during the demonstrations that took place in all parts of the country a few days ago and led to the killing of at least 3 protesters were shot.
Sudanese-American journalist Ismail Kishkash says that "in the past two years, the high level of press freedom has enabled Sudanese to discuss their problems and challenges in a deeper and more frank way, in a way that goes beyond mere slogans and attempts at whitewashing," expressing his fear of setbacks.
Rezaian asserts that when Hamdok met at the United Nations in 2019, it was clear that "he was not a naïve or idealistic person, but he knew that Sudan was facing an uphill battle towards democratic rule, and he had no illusions about the challenges that stand in his way."
He said at the time, "We realize that democracy is an unfinished business. There is no final model that we can just import. I wish there was one we could take ready and implement it... Societies rise and fall in this regard, and we are happy to embark on this journey with all its challenges and problems."
But he was betting, according to the author, on progress, and he understood - and there is no indication that his position has changed - that it requires transparency, and this means respecting dissenting voices and the freedom of journalists to report the news and investing in the infrastructure that makes freedom of expression viable in the long run. the long.
However, this matter - Rezaian adds - is exactly the opposite of what the military and putschists are pushing towards, led by Lieutenant-General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who announced, after issuing his orders to arrest a number of supporters of the democratic transition, that "some individuals have been placed in custody, and they are individuals who are believed to seek to undermine unity." Patriotism and national security... We do not silence mouths, but block out any voice that directly undermines our national harmony."
Sherif Mansour, coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa at the Committee to Protect Journalists in New York, confirms that "Sudan was one of the last remaining open media spaces in the region, and seeing this reaction - by the military - is an ominous sign for the country and the region as a whole."
Rezaian believes that this moment in which the North African region is living in such a fragile situation, with democratic movements in both Sudan and Tunisia at stake, is the right moment to intervene and support Hamdok and democracy in Sudan against the rule of the strongman backed by regional allies.
He adds that the Sudanese people have tasted democracy and are thirsting for more, and although Al-Burhan and his forces may try to obscure this fact, the popular challenge to the army's seizure of power has actually begun to grow and expand.