From 1989-2019, the country of Sudan has been in tyranny in the hands of president Omar Hassan Ahmed Al- Bashir, a military leader who rose to power after usurping the democratically chosen prime minister Sadiq Al-Mahdi in a military coup.
For 30 years Sudan has suffered both economic instability and human rights abuse, some of which has caused the Sudanese president to be indicted and called into questioning for alleged charges of directing campaigns of mass killings, rape and plundering civilians in Darfur, electoral fraud amongst others which has led to the rise of peaceful demonstrations in Khartoum the country’s capital, since 19 December, 2018 till March, 2019 and have been ongoing despite violent reactions by the government .
Amidst the violent answers to the peaceful demonstrations, fruits have been yielded and brought to the limelight as Sudanese heroines of our time Alaa Salah amongst other heroines like Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan, who have seen the problems besieging their countries and have decided to rise above it and let their voices be heard.
Alaa Salah, a 22 year old engineering and architecture Sudanese girl, chose to defy the gender role of women in her society and became a driving force for those protesting for a better Sudan. In her own words, her parents had raised her to love her home as she believes that her country is above any political parties and sectarian division.
Salah in her sneaker and white robe climbed on top of a white car in the midst of a sea of various protesting men and women, declaring her stance on the state of her nation whilst onlookers took pictures and videos of her as they listened to her in support and acceptance to what she had to say.
The ‘nubian queen’ as she has been titled by various media outlets has become a symbolism of ‘revolution through courage’ in these times. Her action has proven Sudanese women have a good understanding of what patriotism is and how to be the driving force in the betterment of their country and will take the chance to show this if it is not given to them.
Alaa, amidst the risk, is being commended globally for her courage as she chose to rise above fear and for the love of her country decided to take the bull by the horn. What a bold lady!
Ruth Udemba
