
A wave of anger has swept across Sudan following the actions of the “Al-Baraa ibn Malik” militia, a group aligned with General al-Burhan’s army (SAF). Videos surfaced showing militia members mocking the December 2018 revolution, which ousted dictator Omar al-Bashir.
The militia, linked to the Islamist faction of the former regime, appeared in front of murals honoring revolution martyrs—many killed by Bashir’s security forces—ridiculing the demands of the uprising: freedom, peace, justice, and civilian governance.
Revolution’s Gains Under Threat
Sudan’s revolution culminated in al-Bashir’s fall on April 11, 2019, after the military sided with mass protests. However, hopes for civilian rule were derailed when the military ousted Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in a coup on October 25, 2021.
As former regime loyalists re-emerged in politics, tensions escalated within the military establishment, which includes General al-Burhan’s SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This power struggle erupted into a brutal conflict on April 15, 2023.
Supporters of the former regime have backed the SAF against the RSF, forming jihadist brigades like Al-Baraa ibn Malik. Leaders of these brigades have been vocal in their opposition to the revolution and its ideals, deepening divides within Sudan.
Resistance Committees Respond
The mocking behavior of Al-Baraa ibn Malik militia members has drawn sharp condemnation from Resistance Committees, grassroots organizations that led the revolution and continue to pressure the SAF for civilian rule.
“The actions of Al-Baraa ibn Malik Brigade are part of a larger effort by counter-revolutionary forces to undermine our struggle,” the Coordination of Resistance Committees in South Khartoum stated.
In a similar statement, the Karrari Resistance Committees condemned the militia’s actions, emphasizing that “the revolution is a people’s will that transcends any attempt to belittle it.”
Khalid Omer Yousif, a leader in the pro-democracy coalition Taqadum, reaffirmed the revolution’s resilience. “Despite the ongoing war, the revolution lives on. We will continue the fight for peace, justice, and democracy,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Activists launched the hashtag #DecemberWillPrevail to denounce the militia’s actions. “The December Revolution is a volcano of justice and freedom,” activist Al-Shafi Fadhl posted. Others shared videos of the militia mocking the revolution, calling it evidence of their true motives: to erase the gains of 2019.
Sudanese artist Nancy Ajaj echoed these sentiments, describing the revolution as the “worst nightmare” for the former regime’s loyalists. “No propaganda can hide their fear of the people’s movement,” she posted.
A Legacy of Defiance
Political analyst Osman Fadlallah emphasized the enduring spirit of the December Revolution. “The revolution remains alive, even amidst destruction. It is the dawn breaking through the darkness of repression,” he said.
While challenges persist, Sudan’s pro-democracy movement stands firm, vowing to uphold the ideals of freedom, justice, and civilian rule against all efforts to silence them.