Melbourne’s Sudanese Community Rallies for Peace Amid Escalating Conflict
Melbourne's Sudanese community gathered over the weekend, at Victoria State Library to protest against the latest bout of armed conflict in Sudan. Organized by the Sudanese diaspora, the demonstration aimed to raise awareness of the urgent need for humanitarian support from the government and to demand an end to the violence that has already claimed over 500 lives. The conflict is a result of clashing ambitions between two high-profile generals and their respective factions, exacerbated by Sudan's economic struggles amidst the nation's long-standing political instability.
Eltayeb Eltayeb, who fled Sudan last week, attended the protest. For the 28-year-old, leaving the conflict was “bittersweet”. Eltayeb was forced to leave his grandmother behind as he made the decision to drive to an airbase north of the capital, Khartoum.
“I couldn’t bring her with me because she's not a citizen,” he said. “The lucky ones who have dual citizenship, we were able to evacuate and escape [but] we're left with that feeling of despair, fear and guilt of leaving our family and our loved ones at home,"
Eltayeb and some of his family, who hold Australian passports, were among the few provided seats to be evacuated by the British Airforce after risking their lives travelling through multiple military checkpoints. Although Eltayeb said he was “relieved to be home safe,” he was “disappointed” and “appalled” that he had to rely on the charity of another nation after getting no help from the Australian government.
“I called the consulate so many times, and I told them this is not the last time they will be hearing from me or hearing from the citizens stuck in Sudan, while you guys did not try to help them at all." He said
With the nation transitioning to civilian rule after the ousting of former president Omar al-Bashir in 2019, Sudan’s political changeover has been slow and problematic. Two generals, Abdalla Hamdok and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, have both vied for power. General Hamdok was appointed as transitional prime minister in August 2019 and has been working towards a more democratic future for Sudan, but General al-Burhan, who heads the military council, has been accused of obstructing the transition to civilian rule.
The tensions between the two generals came to a head earlier this month when al-Burhan attempted a coup, which Hamdok was able to rally popular support against. The country remains deeply divided, with the ongoing conflict taking a toll on Sudanese civilians.
In recent years, Sudan has grappled with a severe economic crisis, with high levels of inflation, unemployment, and debt. This has resulted in widespread poverty and social unrest, creating a volatile political sphere that political analyst Harry Verhoeven believes has contributed to the current conflict. He said Sudan's ongoing conflict has its roots in “economic issues [that] have been festering for decades.”
“The country has a history of exploiting its natural resources for the benefit of a small group of elites while neglecting the needs of the broader population,” he said
Sara Sidana, a spokesperson for Melbourne Sudanese Youth, emphasised the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict at the protest. "We don't want any more bloodshed," she said.
"We want the generals to put aside their personal ambitions and work towards a prosperous future for Sudan."
As the situation continues to escalate, Co-organiser of the protest, Mohamed Semra expressed his concern for the safety of his two brothers stuck amid the civil conflict in Sudan, calling on the Australian government to address the crisis and provide humanitarian aid. He said the situation is "critical and concerning" as many citizens cannot access food, water, or electricity.
“Why are the citizens of Sudan, not our priority?” Semra said. “There are a lot of countries that are now preparing to bring their citizens home. What is Australia doing?”
Without an embassy in Sudan, Australia has been working with partner countries including Indonesia, Canada, Germany and Norway to get Australians out, while additional consular officers have been deployed to support those trying to flee. The Department of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday that “more than 150 Australians and their family members have now safely left Sudan, while 112 remain”.
"Australians in Sudan who want to leave should consider doing so as soon as possible. The security situation remains dangerous and travel routes should be assessed carefully," The statement said.
Any community members who have concerns about the welfare of Australian family members and friends in Sudan can register their details through the DFAT Registration Online Portal on the Smartraveller website. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is communicating directly with those registered on potential options for leaving Sudan via SMS and email.
Those in need of assistance are urged to contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 262 613 305 outside of Australia.