A community in Bristol headed to London for an important protest over the weekend.
The Sudanese diaspora population of Bristol gathered together to travel to the capital on Saturday April 6 for a mass rally.
They were campaigning against the Sudanese ‘Islamic Front’ government who have been accused of being a ‘criminal regime, that are violating international law and breaking human rights conventions.’
Thousands of the Sudanese diaspora met in London for the Freedom, Peace and Justice’ rally, the largest of its kind in decades. Including one local man who has been unable to return to the country despite his sister dying one month ago, due to the political unrest.
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On December 19 2018, Sudanese citizen first took to the streets to protest against the injustice and demanding basic rights of freedom in the country.
This followed a wave of killings in Sudan, including lots of young protesters, much of which has largely gone ignored by the international community . This has sparked weekly small gatherings in UK cities to raise awareness, which coincided with the mass rally in London.
Mohammed Elsharif who works for Bristol City Council , is a community leader who was involved in organising the Bristol group. He said; “Bristol is home for some of the key organisers of national protests in the UK, and we all met early in a convoy of cars in the centre of Bristol.”
“We joined 80 Bristol citizens with the 7000 mass rally, as more than 30 coaches arrived in London from as far as Glasgow and Belfast.”
It was a day full of strong emotions, for Mohammed who recently lost his sister who is living in Sudan, and he was unable to return to the political unrest. He continued: “It was a very emotional day, very moving, and we all felt a moment of immense pride to see thousands of Sudanese exiles in London uniting together for peace and justice.”
“For me personally - having lost my sister a month ago it was particularly so. I was not able to go back to grieve with my family, without compromising myself in the fight against the violent regime. So it was a very healing and therapeutic occasion for me,” he added.
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The Sudanese international population have been trying to highlight the plight of people within the country and show solidarity to the demands of the Sudanese citizens. Mohammed continued: “We marched from the Sudanese Embassy in London to 10 Downing Street calling for the UK to cut ties with the current regime Sudan.”
“At the same time in Sudan, millions have taken to the streets to do this. We are showing our support and solidarity,” he added.
The Sudanese diaspora say they will continue to hold regular protests until the international community start to pay attention, including the British government who they want to cut all ties with the current political regime.
And Mohammed hopes one day to be able to return safely to visit his family and mourn the loss of his sister.
