SPLM Yasir says Sudan’s diversity is not respected by its present leaders

Thousands of slum dwellers in Soba Aradi Khartoum state gathered to listen to Yasir Saeed Arman the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) presidential candidate in a rally held by the party. While addressing his supporters Arman said the current regime did not respect the country’s multicultural, religious and racial diversity.

“I am happy being here today, my prayers and dreams have come true, I think if it is from the bottom of his heart that Yasir says these words. We need him. We need a Sudan where religion is not the qualification for job, medical care, or national scholarship”

In his speech the audience seemed moved because he started by reading the names of those hung earlier this year allegedly for burning down police station in the area during a protest when government sent army forces to evict the residents. There was a total silence for about two minutes then a noise sprung from the silent crowd death in a mourning mood, Saying  “Allah akbar ………. Allah akbar”.They were jolted to attention when he once again said in Arabic, “you should not mourn now, a change has come and the change has started, it is a matter of a month now you will all be equal irrespective of religion, culture, or tribe”.

He said the skyscrapers in Khartoum were built by those in the slum, “It is your labour that they use to build the skyscrapers, it is the money for your education and health care and the army generals have huge foreign accounts, it is your money but we are determine to bring it back”   There was a thunderous respond from his supporters shouting SPLM Oyeee, SPLM Oyeee. He continued “You were used in the army and after fighting your own brothers, they throw you here to the slum. We need a change where everybody can feel that he or she is a Sudanese”

"..you should not mourn now, a change has come and the change has started, it is a matter of a month now you will all be equal irrespective of religion, culture, or tribe”.

Southerners like their Northern counterparts in the rally said to me that they think the government does not invest much in them but instead invests much in the military. John Lemi a Southern Sudanese Christian who travelled from Gedarif state Eastern Sudan said his dream had been for a Sudan that respects religious freedom, equal national opportunities regardless of color or tribe.

“I am happy being here today, my prayers and dreams have come true, I think if it is from the bottom of his heart that Yasir says these words. We need him. We need a Sudan where religion is not the qualification for job, medical care, or national scholarship”. Hassen Abdullah a Muslim Northerner from Dogongola said he was in the army for nine years, he fought in the South and in Darfur and then fled the army when the late SPLA/M leader Dr. John Garang visited Khartoum. “I left the army when Garang came to Khartoum, I was impressed by his speech, they were fighting for the rights of the people for the rights of the Sudanese as a whole from then till today I pray that Allah (God) should forgive me” Mr. Hassen said looking very guilty.

“We need a change where everybody can feel that he or she is a Sudanese”

Opposition parties are known for taking advantage of injustices dealt out by the current regime. For example, when a 23 years old Khartoum University student was killed in detention for his political rally with Darfur’s Abdul Wahid Nour party, politicians from the opposition were actively involved in condemning the death and rallying behind the students. More than five million people are living in slums in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. These people may well be used by the opposition for future violence should the elections be seen as illegitimate.