5. What was the economic situation of Sudan before Mr. al-Bashir was deposed? How did it fuel the protests that drove him from power?
6. The article concludes:
Sudan’s new freedoms are fragile, and whether they can endure is unclear. Power-sharing talks between protest leaders and the military, now in their fourth week, have become tense in recent days. Outside the protest bubble, supporters of the old government are waiting and watching.
Some say the struggle has just begun. “It’s like you’re in a dark place and you can see a small light,” Ms. Elgizouli said. “We have a long road to freedom.”
Why are the new freedoms in Sudan fragile? Do you agree with Ms. Elgizouli’s characterization of the future ahead for Sudan?
Finally, tell us more about what you think:
— What is your reaction to recent events in Sudan? What do you think will be the political outcome? Will the military remain in power? Or will protesters realize their goals of a civilian-led democracy? Do you think there will be a peaceful and just resolution?
— Ordinarily, we don’t associate joy and love with protests. Why do you think the reporter focused so much on these aspects of the revolution in Sudan? What do you think of the actions of ordinary people like Ms. Alnour? What can we learn from their courage and efforts?
— Can you draw any parallels between the protests in Sudan and the protests that have happened in other countries recently? Were the issues the same, similar or different? How might those experiences help us to better understand the current situation in Sudan?
— Look at the photos featured in the article. Select one and write about how it exemplifies the hopes, fears and changes in revolutionary Sudan?
— A photo of Alaa Salah, a young woman atop a car addressing a crowd of protesters, has become an iconic image of the Sudanese revolution around the world. Choose this image, or another famous protest image in the same article, and write about why you believe it is powerful and memorable. Include a discussion of the formal aspects of the photo (framing, composition) as well as the content (people, events, actions). For more on conducting a photo analysis, see the Learning Network’s regular feature, “What’s Going On in This Picture?”
Further Resources:
Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir Is Ousted, but Not His Regime
Arab Spring, Again? Nervous Autocrats Look Out Windows as Crowds Swell
Five Strongmen, and the Fate of the Arab Spring
“The Daily” podcast: A Dictator’s Fall in Sudan
