April 15, 2019

The people’s voice reigns supreme in North Africa

located:	Sudan, Egypt, Algeria
editor:	Bob Koigi

Even before the dust had settled after the ouster of Algeria's long-serving President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Sudan ruler Omar Bashir has faced the wrath of his people, who have pushed him out of office in what is reminiscent of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings that paved the way for new Egypt.

Incensed by the decision of 82-year-old Bouteflika to seek a fifth term in office – despite serious health concerns – Algerian protesters were consistent and adamant in their demand to have him resign for presiding over decades of misrule, autocracy, and human rights abuses which nearly brought the economy of the once crown jewel of the North to its knees.

In Sudan, Mr. Bashir, who ruled with an iron fist for 30 years – a period when Sudan witnessed the most atrocious violations of human rights including rape, murder and forced disappearances – was in the end brought down by protesters armed with nothing but a clamour for a better life. The bread protests that started in December last year after the government lifted subsidies on basic commodities, and increased prices of key staples like bread, sparked anger that had been bottled up for years by mostly a youthful population born when Bashir was in power and who had witnessed the deterioration of the economy and democracy.

“Just fall, that is all!” they shouted as they braved gunfire and camped outside Mr. Bashir’s official residence in Khartoum. And in a departure from the past bloody protests, a new wave of demonstrations emerged. In Algeria, protesters swept the streets to demonstrate civic pride while in Sudan women, who have traditionally been confined to household duties, took centre stage in organising and running the protests.

The populace has equally lost trust in the military, accusing it of going to bed with the tyrants. Despite the overthrow of the despots, demonstrators have stayed put in public spaces waiting for the transfer of power from the military to the people.

And while the voice of the citizens has trounced that of the gun, it is still a long walk for millions keen on healing their countries and resuscitating the haemorrhaging economies. They will need to look deep and hard while making numerous sacrifices to restore their countries to their former glory. For now, viva the power of the people in North Africa.