Sudan’s River Nile State has approved a law criminalizing racial and tribal discrimination, which also bans the formation of racial blocs or groups that leads to strife and instability in the state.
Governor Amana al-Makki issued the temporary decree Saturday, becoming the first to enact a state law in the country.
According to the decree, it is prohibited for any person to commit any act that leads to racial discrimination, incitement to violence, or propagate hatred, racism or racial discrimination by any means.
The law imposes penalties with prison terms not exceeding six months or a fine, or both in case of repeated violation.
The governor was fiercely opposed by the supporters of the former regime for being one of the first two female governors in the northern states of the country.
Researcher Abdullah Adam Khater believes that the constitutional principles and laws were established to address racial discrimination, based on the management of diversity in the country.
Khater indicated that the democratic systems establish equality between all citizens without any discrimination on the basis of color, race, or tribal affiliation.
He pointed out that the governor may have thought that the problem is greater in her state, indicating that she needs to enhance the legal framework against racism and increase citizen awareness through seminars and workshops.
Political analyst Hajj Hamad believes the law issued by the governor of the River Nile State supports the general law in the country and strengthens efforts to combat all kinds of tribal or racial discrimination.
He explained that the River Nile state is considered one of the "male" conservative states, which is why the governor chose to issue a temporary state law that will make a major change in the mentality that discriminates on the basis of gender, color, or race.
Hajj Hamad believes racial discrimination requires a plan from the government to establish the concept that everyone is equal in rights and duties, and diversity is not a source of conflict.
He indicated that any social problem, namely racial discrimination, requires methods that combat hate speech and cannot be combated with the law alone.
The constitutional document governing the transitional period in Sudan stipulates that “rights and duties are based on citizenship without discrimination due to race, religion, culture, sex, color, gender, social or economic status, political opinion, disability, regional affiliation or any other cause.”
