Motion: Solidarity with the revolution in Sudan

Take this motion to your local union branch to build vital solidarity with the revolutionary movement in Sudan. This motion was initiated by members of The Sudanese Workers’ Alliance for the Restoration of Trades Unions in the diaspora in Britain. Download a pdf: Solidarity with the revolution in Sudan.

This union branch notes:

a. That demonstrations beginning in December 2018 over spiralling costs of living have developed into a mass protest movement calling for peaceful democratic change which is supported by Sudan’s independent trade unions, professional associations and opposition political parties. Since the fall of Omar el Bashir on 11th April the transition to a democratic, civilian authority has been obstructed and frustrated by the military authorities comprising the Transitional Military Council.

b. That doctors, teachers, lawyers, postal workers, utility workers and journalists and are among the groups of workers who have taken strike action and joined the protests, and that the extraordinary success of recent General Strikes have demonstrated the overwhelming support of the Sudanese people, and power of the Sudanese workers.

c. That the Transitional Military Council has responded with extreme brutality, using live ammunition and beatings against protesters, arresting thousands and torturing detainees, and has sought to undermine even the basic right to strike by forcing civilians to work at gunpoint during the recent General Strike.

d. That the British government is complicit in the violence in Sudan through its cooperation with the Saudi campaign in Yemen (where Sudanese militias are deployed) and through funding Sudanese militias indirectly through EU border policy (the Khartoum process/Rome Declaration 2014).

This union believes:

a. That our comrades in Sudan have the right to protest and organise without fear of repression.

b. That Sudanese people seeking sanctuary from the regime’s repression are welcome in the UK, as are all other refugees.

This union resolves:

a. To send a message in solidarity with the demands of the uprising to The Sudanese Workers’ Alliance for the Restoration of Trades Unions at arswtu@gmail.com.

b. To call on the UK government to condemn the use of violence against protesters, cease all forms of security cooperation and cut diplomatic relations with the Sudanese authorities.

c. To refute the legitimacy of the TMC as a sovereign authority representing Sudan and lobby across the labour movement for the same.

d. To publicise the demands of the Sudanese uprising and information about the situation there to our members, encouraging them to attend protests and solidarity actions.

e. To call on our national union and sister unions to mobilise support for the Sudanese uprising across the trade union and labour movement.

Please send an email stating your name and/or organisation and messages of solidarity to arswtu@gmail.com.

To make a donation to the Alliance for the Restoration of Sudanese Trades Unions, please make transfers to the following account:
Account name: MAKAWI RHMO
Sort Code: 60-80-07
Account Number: 60214570