Page 49 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 12

Re- Education
MY AFRIKA

REVOLUTION

IT ALSO MEANS TRANSFORMATION
Chioma Phillips

lashes of brilliance have protesters from security forces and for a fifth presidential term. Six days
been seen around Afrika in on 11th April 2019, the military later, the people of Algeria shouted
the past few years. Mo- announced that they had removed a loud and unified, “NO!” And the
Fments where the people and arrested Bashir. Just over one Revolution of Smiles or the Hirak
have seized opportunities to push year later, a peace deal was signed Movement was born. After historic
back against regimes that are acting between the government and the mass peaceful protests, Bouteflika
unjustly, unwisely, wickedly or a mis- rebels ending a 17-year civil war. resigned less than two months
ery-inducing trifecta of all three. An interim government was estab- later, as did Prime Minister Ahmed
lished to restore order ahead of Ouyahia and months later the so did
In Sudan, discontent began to bub- the general elections scheduled for the Prime Minister’s replacement
ble up in 2018 and public discontent 2022 which are planned to take the Nourredine Bedoui.
with the government’s November country out of military rule. The
2019 ‘emergency austerity measures’ interim government is facing the A new president was sworn in after
pushed the people to the limit. challenge of stabilizing the political, mostly boycotted elections held on
Peaceful protests were held where economic and social environment the 12th of December that same
the Sudanese people demanded that and balancing the various interests, year. The ‘new’ president is a former
Omar al-Bashir step down from pressures and expectations. Consid- cabinet minister from Bouteflika’s
power. Despite various maneuvers ering the recent attempt on interim administration. The people managed
made by Bashir, the people pressed Prime Minister Hamdok’s life – one to gain great ground as a result of
on. Their public demonstrations can clearly see that things are not yet this movement, forming groupings
bringing them uncomfortably as they should be. and alliances to increase pressure for
close to the presidential compound their goals to be met. However, they
in April 2019. In a unique twist, In February 2019, Abdoulaziz were not satisfied because most of
the military stepped in to protect Bouteflika officially launched his bid the ‘hidden’ power behind the ruling

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