For nearly two months, Sudan has witnessed almost daily demonstrations demanding an end to 30 years of one-man rule – that of President Omar al-Bashir.
“What is happening on the streets now, is more than mere demonstrations and protests – this is a revolution in the true sense of the word,” explains Shamael al-Noor, a journalist for Al Tayyar as quoted by Al Jazeera.
“You can see signs of a shift, a switch in people’s ways of thinking, a demand for actual change.”
While the protests were set off by the rising cost of bread and fuel in the north of Sudan, they quickly grew into a demand for more political freedoms and an end to al-Bashir’s rule.
By the time they reached Khartoum, the domestic media outlets were ordered to stop covering the story and revoked the media credentials of half a dozen journalists while arresting 70 others.
Analysts say continuing support from the security forces for the regime and President Bashir’s own defiance have created a deadlock.
“The president remains very stubborn and the protesters remain very determined,” said Mutiga of ICG.
“What we now have is a clear stalemate.”
Mr Bashir has countered the demonstrations with his own rallies, promising economic development in the country and promoting peace in its war zones.
Dismissing calls for his resignation, he has insisted that the ballot box is the only way to change the government.
Online platforms, such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter were blocked. The clampdown has not stopped activists and citizen journalists from getting those pictures out – security services beating protesters, in some cases shooting them or running them over.
Virtual private networks (VPNs) have allowed activists to circumvent the shutdown. It’s the technology of choice in countries where the authorities cut off access to online sites – since VPN technology allows users to move beyond the control of any government.
What is happening on the streets now, is more than mere demonstrations and protests – this is a revolution in the true sense of the word