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| Algerians protest Bouteflika’s rule. Source |
Apr 20, 2019 |
Many are watching with growing astonishment as the Sudanese and Algerian uprisings have emerged over the past few months, defying the counter-revolutionary wave that swept the region following the Middle East and North Africa uprisings of 2011. Ironically, Omar al-Bashir’s last international visit was to Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to show his support to the surviving ancien regime that looks to have weathered the storm, only to return to an uprising that has challenged everything from IMF austerity measures to the authoritarian and patriarchal nature of the regime. Though the protests have been ongoing for several months now, mainstream international media has only just started to take notice. Their disinterest has also ignored the tens of thousands of teachers protesting in Morocco in the past few months, and the ups and downs of revolt and repression throughout the region as a whole.
The level of sophistication of organizing in both the Sudanese and Algerian uprisings reignites the hope that a new wave of uprising can achieve the initial demands of the revolutionary processes started in 2011 in their quest for dignity, equality and freedom. The Sudanese and Algerian diasporas have played a crucial role in spreading the revolution beyond their national borders, calling on all those who believe that the struggle should be international to join them.
At the time of writing, the Sudanese uprising has already succeeded in removing and imprisoning Omar al-Bashir–who has been wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide since 2009. As he has been forced out of power, his successor, army lieutenant Awad Ibn Auf, was himself not able to hold office for more than twenty-four hours. Protestors have also called on Ibn Auf’s successor, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, to bow out and oversee a transition to civilian power.
Less than two weeks earlier, Algeria’s mass protests forced Abdelaziz Bouteflika to announce that he would step down and not run for a fifth term, leading to his replacement by an interim government that is a spitting image of Bouteflika’s ancien regime.
In both countries, the overthrow of individual figureheads of the regime is understood to be far from enough. The call is to continue and deepen the uprisings until fundamental political and socio-economic changes are made in favor of the popular classes, completely replacing the old regimes and their rulers.
The Sudanese and Algerian protesters have learned from their past revolutionary struggles and from the neighboring counter-revolutionary regimes that only through popular resistance, mass participation, and self-organization will they be able to achieve radical change and democratic and socio-economic rights.
Various dictatorial regimes, regional and imperialist powers have witnessed the developments of these latest popular uprisings with fear, viewing them as a threat to their own interests and powers. In response, they have expressed their support to the Sudanese and Algerian heads of the army and encouraged them to retain control. Alongside these calls, these regional and international actors have warned directly or indirectly against the continuation and deepening of the revolutionary process.
We state our continuous solidarity with the Sudanese and Algerian popular classes, as well as with the rest of region. Their struggles are an inspiration for all those fighting for the emancipation and liberation of the oppressed throughout the world.
In this perspective, we urge leftist and progressive organizations and networks around the world to express their solidarity with the new waves of uprisings in Sudan and Algeria and continuous resistance in the region. Organize protests in your respective countries in front of embassies, consulates and state representatives in coordination with the revolutionary diasporas accompanying the uprising. Continue to follow events as they unfold, in order to take action if the movements face greater levels of repression. During this critical period, only pressure from the streets in and outside of Sudan, Algeria, Morocco and beyond can guarantee the success of the second wave of the Middle East and North African uprisings.
To sign the statement follow the link
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2lsgXbqtLArebWpBgCqfUV-cnV9VmW_PAG9E-A1g9zp4-Sw/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0ukQy6f12roQiu9KvxVtXQVuEzvgzRLuDikRl4yH9NcMATimEbgdBB2FY
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