Celebrate the 44th Anniversary of the October 1964 Sudanese Revolution

By Mahmoud A. Suleiman

October 28, 2008 — The 44th Anniversary of the Sudanese Great October the 21st 1964 Revolution is by far the most important political event and a crucial landmark in the history of the Sudan. It is a national pride to every Sudanese citizen countrywide. Moreover, it strengthened the capacity of marginalised people of Sudan to live within inclusive society, practicing their rights and shouldering their duties. The Glorious October Revolution in Sudan also ushered in the era of the downfall of a most tyrant totalitarian military junta regime that reined the country after the November 17th 1958 with an iron fist presided over by General Ibrahim Abboud. October the 21st 1964 was the victory of the fraternal solidarity, social strife and a sacrifice of People’s Forces’. October 21st 1964 was a protest against domination. Its earthshaking achievements in the field of freedom had been enormous. The October 21st 1964 rebellion provided living proof of the assertion that students, trade unions, Sudan Civil Service, professional associations, people from the marginalised regions, civil society organisations and political parties everywhere were capable not only of destroying the old guards but also of building new democratic institutions and declaring bill of citizenship rights. October the 21st 1964 revolution inspired and offered a groundbreaking opportunity for the marginalised people of the Sudan from Dungola to Nimule and Portsudan to Geneina to form their political forums; Sudan’s political landscape had witnessed the emergence of power of the marginalised to fight for equality and justice: the Beja in the Eastern Region formed the ‘Beja Congress’, people in the Southern Sudan Region set up ‘SANO and Southern Front,’ people like Father Philip Abbas Gabboosh and his fellow compatriots put together the ’Union of the Nuba Mountains’ in Southern Kordofan whereas the Region of Darfur witnessed the birth of the Darfur Renaissance/ Development Front. The 1960s were the golden era marked by several notable political and social changes worldwide.

Political analysts and experts in Sudanese affairs believe that it is timely for the oppressed people of Sudan today than any other time to remember that day to commemorate the remarkable but largely unsung event by the successive military junta regimes. This is more so in the current political atmosphere in which public freedom has been confiscated, mouths are gagged, corruption is widespread, accountability is in abeyance and absence of rule of law is rife while racism and cronyism have become the ruling NCP elite’s daily practice. Poverty, famine, illiteracy and disease are rampant. Moreover, all the factors that sparked off the 21st October 1964 revolution prevail today Vis…National Congress Party/ National Islamic Front (NCP/NIF) military regime that has assumed power after a coup d’état on June 30th 1989 has caused atrocities all over the Sudan, including crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide but mostly among the marginalised majority in the Southern Sudan, Eastern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Ingessena, and Darfur.

Over the years the marginalised majority has accumulated a wealth of political experience and some of them have already transformed themselves into movements or parties. The most fundamental development in this regard has been the emergence of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/SPLA). Since its inception in 1983 under the leadership of late Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the SPLM/A has fought for a united democratic and secular New Sudan. In many respects the SPLM/SPLA represents a more sophisticated (and armed) expression of the same cause that led to the creation of The Beja Congress, Union of the Nuba Mountains, SANO and Southern Front and Darfur Renaissance/ Development Front to fight for equality and justice. The October 21st 1964 spirit continued to inspire the marginalised majority in rural Sudan resulting into the emergence of Darfur rebel movements of Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), as an extension of the Great October Sudanese Revolution to achieve the citizenship rights in a country dominated by small minority of inept elites since independence of Sudan in 1956.

Will the rebellious people of Sudan rise up again in a collective revolt against the hegemonic National Islamic Front (NIF) to uproot the most hateful National Congress Party (NCP) rule as they did in 1964 to overthrow Abboud and in 1983 that caused the downfall of Jaafer Mohammed Nimeiri? That is a Sixty Four Dollar ($64) question, awaiting an answer! Long live the Great October Revolution of the people of Sudan!

Dr. Mahmoud A. Suleiman is the Deputy Chairman of the General Congress for Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). He can be reached at [email protected]