A new phase in Sudan... the “quality” protest, similar to the “General Command” sit-in

KHARTOUM -

Sudan's protesters have begun a new phase in their movements against the authority of the military, by simulating the "General Command sit-in" model that overthrew President Omar al-Bashir (his rule lasted between June 1989 and April 2019);

They launched a series of simultaneous sit-ins, starting with the demonstrations of last June 30, and then a sit-in in front of Al-Jawda Hospital in Khartoum.

The protesters hope to repeat the model of the General Command’s sit-in in 2019, in terms of its success in overthrowing the existing authority and bringing in a civilian government, but while avoiding its bloody end, which was the dispersal of its crowds by lethal military force, leaving hundreds of victims dead, injured and missing.

To learn about the conditions of the new protest, Al Jazeera Net visited the sit-in headquarters of Al-Jawda Hospital, to search for answers to questions about its fate and its repercussions on the complex Sudanese scene.

Welcome to the sit-in in the vicinity of Quality Hospital (Al-Jazeera)

Close to the presidential palace

The sit-in at Al-Jawda Hospital - which was called by the Resistance Committees (an organization that says it is independent and leads the protests) - is being held in "Al-Sahafa Zalat" Street, which is located between the most important land transport ports between Khartoum and the states, and between one of the most popular destinations for the protest movement (the vicinity of the presidential palace).

Of course, the sit-in, whose area is expanding daily, has resulted in:

To change the movement of transport and traffic in the area, away from its surroundings by several kilometers.

The idea of ​​the sit-in - according to Muhammad Awad, 25, a member of the "Dem" resistance committees (the downtown district of the capital) - began after the protests of last June 30, to protect the injured in the demonstration - who were evacuated to Al-Jawda Hospital - from any attempted arrest by the security forces.

Then the idea developed into a sit-in whose term ends with the departure of the military from power, according to Awad.

Awad added other reasons for the sit-in;

Represented in honoring the hospital staff, for their great services in treating the injured, and for the people of the Al-Dim area, which he described as one of the most important strongholds of the protest movement.

Inspections and barricades

The protesters are fortifying the sit-in with several barricades on the main street and secondary streets, with primitive tools made of stones, trees and tires, to prevent the entry of personnel carriers and security vehicles.

At the entrances to the sit-in, checkpoints for both sexes are deployed, ordered by members of the resistance committees who greet the arrivals with banners, national flags, and welcoming phrases, including the famous phrase "Raise your hand over and inspect with taste."

Reem Saad, 22, after passing the women's security check-point, expressed her understanding of the inspection procedures.

"They are working to protect us from the violence of infiltrators supported by the authority, and from the leakage of security elements that target espionage and information gathering," she said.

A remarkable presence of women inside the sit-in (Al-Jazeera)

Silence followed by Hamas

When we entered the sit-in at about four in the afternoon;

We noticed that the majority of the participants took refuge in the shade of trees and buildings on both sides of the street, due to the high temperatures.

Most of them were young men with remarkable participation of women.

And there was a state of silence, but it turns upside down with the arrival of the processions marched by the protesters to support the sit-in, where everyone begins to gather in circles, topped by chanting and anthem.

The most prominent chant was the slogan of the three nos, "No negotiation, no legitimacy, no partnership";

In announcing the rejection of all forms of political settlement between civilians and the military, and chanting, "The revolution is a people's revolution, power is a people's authority, and the military is for barracks," calling for the military to be removed from the political equation.

Corner for "graffiti" painters and murals supporting the sit-in (Al-Jazeera)

Absence of "freedom and change"

On its tour inside the sit-in, Al Jazeera Net noticed the absence of tents until Sunday afternoon, in light of the normal movement of the shops located inside the sit-in square.

I also noticed large evacuations, to leave a space in front of the hospital that helps the movements of patients, ambulances and medical staff.

However, one of the most prominent observations in the sit-in was the absence of the leaders of the "Forces of Freedom and Change" (the Central Council group), despite their support for the protest movement.

About this, activist Muhannad Al-Nadhir (28 years), says that the protesters are raising slogans rejecting settlement, while the "Forces of Freedom and Change" are engaged in dialogues with the military.

He added, "This open space, with its geography and positions, does not represent the forces of soft landing, as much as closed and secret dialogue rooms."

A member of the Blood Resistance Committees, Mohamed Awad, said that the evening periods witness the arrival of large numbers of protesters, and the establishment of a number of political, awareness and entertainment events, including national singing parties, street theater and playing, with places allocated for graffiti artists on the walls.

Away from the decision kitchen, and close to the dining kitchen, Al Jazeera Net monitored two kitchens to prepare meals and juices for the participants, and they are led by a group of volunteers who work diligently on traditional charcoal cooking methods.

Muhammad Awad rejected rumors that they received financial funding from political or external parties "with agendas." lenience.

goals and fears

As for its effectiveness and ability to make a breakthrough in the complex Sudanese scene, some say that the sit-in expresses the failure of the June 30 demonstrations to achieve their goals.

Awad, who accompanied us on the majority of our tour, defends the June 30 demonstrations, saying that they represented a new referendum on the isolation of the existing regime.

He added that the sit-in is one of the protesters' old and renewed weapons, and it is a successful and tried-and-true option to diversify the mechanisms of protest methods.

"The sit-in succeeded in opening the way for several sit-ins in the capital and the states, which paves the way for the country to enter the phase of disobedience and a comprehensive strike," he added.

And what the protesters of Al-Jawda Hospital fear, activist Muhammad Dirar, 18, answers by saying, "Despite our presence in a residential neighborhood - which many consider a protective factor - I am afraid of a repeat of the tragedy of the sit-in of the General Command, this time with greater losses."