Editorial :Prerequisite Retractions

In his address to the National Assembly Sudan First Vice President, Ali Osman Mohammed Taha has affirmed that the state guarantees the right to protest but it would not tolerate attempts to undermine security, stability and sabotage of property, adding that the law would be enforced to confront acts of sabotage, praising the Sudanese people for showing understanding of the package adopted by the government.
However, there are facts which we should recall, among which is that the Sudanese are the first people who organized demonstrations in the Arab and African world against the colonization.
In their demonstration, all over the modern history, Sudanese did not resort to violence or sabotage acts.
In 1964 and 1985 uprisings, Sudanese citizens were protesting holding the green branches of trees and none of them destroyed any of the public properties and burning vehicles.
The peaceful and civilized method dominated Sudanese people protests.
The culture of violence and burning public and private properties is an extraneous culture emerged when late Dr. John Garang died in a plane crash in August 2005, as the southerners in the capital started burning and looting the malls.
The recent protests in some parts of the Khartoum state after the announcement of the new austerity measures should be understood and placed in its proper context.
We should avoid any talk about as if it is conspiracy of subversion considering that it is natural to find some individuals who attempt to exploit the events to serve their evil agendas.
It is good that Khartoum State government affirmed that demonstrations is a legitimate right provided it commit to peace and public security for other rights and capabilities.
It is also good that the police authorities dealt wisely towards the events and avoided to act fiercely with the protestors.
However, the recent protests revealed the weak official address to raise citizens awareness the on the necessity of the measures taken and to convince them that it is imposed to avoid the collapse of the economy.
We should not limit ourselves in the President, FVP, and Ministry of Finance statements; but we urge for organizing awareness forums everywhere to simplify the economic reforms and when it will come to an end.
There should be considerable effort to convey a clear message over the measure and how to overcome its negative effects till the economy recovers.