DePaul University hosted an event discussing Sudan’s 2018-2019 revolution and the current civil war, aiming to educate students on its significance. Guest speaker Mahder Habtemariam Serekberhan shared a historical timeline, perspectives on youth involvement in protests, and the rising death toll, which has surpassed 90,000 amid ongoing conflict. Faculty emphasized the need for greater awareness of Sudanese issues on campus.
On February 17, DePaul University’s international studies department organized an event to discuss Sudan’s revolution from 2018-2019 and the ongoing civil conflict. Approximately 40 attendees participated in person and online at DePaul’s Levan Center, aiming to raise awareness of Sudan’s current situation and the rising death toll related to the war.
The event featured guest speaker Mahder Habtemariam Serekberhan, a Syracuse University Ph.D. student. Serekberhan shared insights on what students can learn from the Sudanese revolution, provided a historical timeline, and engaged in a lengthy Q&A session, highlighting how young people drove the revolution forward.
Serekberhan noted that the protests began in December 2018 after students opposed government policies due to increased bread prices. This movement, primarily led by students, aimed for improved healthcare, protection of livestock producers, and representation for diverse religions. In April 2019, mass protests led to the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir.
After al-Bashir’s removal, the military initially collaborated with civilians to form a transitional government, but by 2021, a coup reinstated military control and stripped civilians of power. Currently, a counter-revolution is underway, with a recent study estimating over 90,000 deaths and millions displaced since 2023, exacerbated by famine and educational disruptions.
Shiera Malik, a DePaul international studies professor and event organizer, emphasized that while revolutions in Africa are not new, their lessons resonate differently now. She remarked on the lack of focus on Sudan at DePaul, stating, “We have nothing on Sudan here. We haven’t heard anything on campus.”
Isabella Ali, president of the DePaul Student Government Association, highlighted the global significance of the Sudanese revolution, connecting it to international struggles. Questions during the event also drew parallels with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, stressing the importance of learning from global experiences and experts.
Serekberhan encouraged students within the U.S. to take inspiration from the Sudanese revolution and conduct more research on global movements. She stated that understanding such processes can empower young individuals, saying, “We saw a bottom-up political process that was able to challenge and even, to some extent, transform parts of society.”
The event at DePaul University aimed to raise awareness about Sudan’s 2018-2019 revolution and the ongoing civil conflict. Educators and students discussed the significance of the revolution and drew parallels with contemporary global struggles. Insights from the event emphasized the importance of youth engagement and learning from historical movements to inspire current efforts for change. This underlines the need for more focus on Sudanese issues on campus.
Original Source: depauliaonline.com
