FICTION: The above statement is NOT TRUE.

Former Sudanese president, al-Bashir, was ousted from the government and a new transitional government was formed in 2019, but many high-ranking officials from al-Bashir’s regime remain in control and militia groups, affiliated with the former regime, continue to instigate violence towards Sudanese civilians. Wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), war criminals—including Bashir, Harun, and Hussein—remain at large and have yet to face trial for their crimes. A paramilitary force responsible for the killing, raping, and wounding thousands under al-Bashir, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been integrated into the Sudanese national army and is now mandated to protect and serve the Sudanese population. However, daily reports of civilian deaths, injuries, and displacement caused by members of the RSF exhibit a blatant fact that they are unable to secure the protection of the Sudanese people and are a threat to their safety. Mass protests and demonstrations have grown rampant across Sudan throughout the year, demanding peace, security, and civilian representation in the government as well as proper accountability for perpetrators of violence and genocide. These protests have gone overlooked by the government and often result in dozens of deaths and injuries. The transitional government, led by current Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, has done little in the past year to address the violence from the militia and civilians. Meanwhile, the international community remains complacent with the new Sudanese crisis.

FACT: The above statement is TRUE.

In 2002, the government of Sudan began a genocidal campaign against indigenous Africans in Darfur. Using militias, they killed innocent people, burned villages, looted properties, and destroyed food and water. Rape is used as a weapon of war and a method of terror against women, resulting in countless women and girls falling victim to sexual violence, left to suffer in silence due to the associated stigma. Over 300,000 civilians had been killed. Over 4 million have been impacted and over 3 million are still living in camps today, subject to constant attacks after 17 years and sadly, they have nowhere to return to today. The situation has been declared as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. To read more, click here.

FACT: The above statement is TRUE.

In Sudan, women generally face more challenges in regards to political inclusion, legal and social status, health issues, economic growth, and technological, educational, and health accessibility. Not only are Sudanese women expected to conform to specific inferior societal roles, but they are also targets of gender-based violence (GBV) and discrimination. Issues of rape, genital mutilation, sex trafficking, domestic violence, and other forms of GBV are widespread across Sudan and have gone unchecked without proper acknowledgment for decades. In terms of institutional practices, sharia law, harmonized with discriminatory secular laws, has degraded Sudanese women’s legal status. To read more, click here.

FICTION: The above statement is NOT TRUE.

In the wake of Bashir’s downfall, Sudanese women are still restrained by cultural norms that render them susceptible to violence and discrimination and subject them to unequal economic opportunities and access to material resources. Despite women’s pivotal role in Sudan’s recent revolution, women continue to be sidelined in terms of political inclusion. The Bashir regime has had a lasting cultural effect in the aftermath of his overthrow, encouraging beliefs of male supremacy and female subordination, which increases risks of gender-based violence (GBV). In terms of institutional practices, sharia law, harmonized with discriminatory secular laws, has degraded Sudanese women’s legal status. Though the 2019 Constitutional Declaration improves the legal status of women on paper, little substantive change has been effectuated through action. To read more, click here.

FICTION: The above statement is NOT TRUE.

Despite the ousting of the war criminal, al-Bashir, from the Sudanese government and the establishment of the current interim government, there still remains a crisis in Sudan. The current government has made efforts to attain peace and security for the people, but no effective action has eliminated the constant threats of violence and displacement in the country. Several million people in Sudan are still displaced after years of genocide and brutality. Daily reports of civilian deaths, injuries, and displacement prompted mass protests against the transitional government in the past year, calling for effective civilian protection and accountability for the crimes committed. Sudan is in dire need of international attention and action as war criminals remain at large and Sudanese civilians remain unprotected from violent militia groups.

FICTION: The above statement is NOT TRUE.

After the former president, Omar al-Bashir was cast from the Sudanese government, a new transitional interim government was formed. Though the threat of genocide may appear to have passed, many high-ranking officials from al-Bashir’s regime remain in the current Sudanese government. Under their control, violent militia groups—including the Janjaweed—have been integrated into the Sudanese national army and have caused thousands of deaths and injuries in the past year. By funding the current Sudanese government, the international community fails to comprehend the complexities of the Sudanese crisis. The people, desiring a civilian democratic government, remain at war with the corrupt officials leading them. Any aid provided to the current government will likely be used against the civilian population.