Sudanese Celebrate Three Occasions in One Evening

Arab World

January 2nd, 12:16pm

Khartoum – Ahmed Youness

Sudanese people gather on a street and wave flags during the first anniversary of the start of the uprising that toppled long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir, in Khartoum, Sudan December 19, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

The Sudanese people have celebrated ‘3 occasions’ during the last evening of 2019. They celebrated the first anniversary of the revolution that ousted the dictatorship. They also celebrated the new year's evening and also independence. Celebrations weren’t limited to the people but several political officials, leaders, and ministers as well as journalists who showed up at the presidential palace. Sudanese Military Council leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said in his speech on the independence that the Sudanese people should agree on a ‘national program of action’ that uplifts them and their country. Sudan has made huge strides in the journey of building the state and community. However, the achieved stage remains below people’s aspirations, he added. Burhan pledged that he will focus on reforms that incite economic development and contribute to finding an attractive investment environment. Reforms would also guarantee the political, social, and cultural participation as well as the safety of people and properties besides the freedom of expression and building a ‘free and responsible’ media sector. Yet, armed clashes erupted between the police and armed groups holding cold weapons and offending girls who were celebrating at the Freedom Square. Three girls and one police officer were wounded and the police had to use tear gas to disperse these groups. The police said that celebrations took place in a peaceful atmosphere in which the citizens practiced their right to celebrate except for the incidents that occurred at the Freedom Square.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2063181/sudanese-celebrate-three-occasions-one-evening