Speakers Corners

I have recently had a heated discussion with a friend who was once one of those who are engaged with one of the traditional Sudanese parties. He accustomed to speak every now and then in the Faculty of Medicine main road in fashion similar to speakers corner in Hyde Park! It is among the older traditions of the University of Khartoum. Even under the most suppressive regimes students of the university were successful in maintaining their freedom of speech for most of the time, of course it landed them in deep trouble and in some cases jail or even dismissal from college.

From an outsider point of view you will admire their courage to take part, but if you took a close look at what actually been said you will be surprised!

First, these students were representing their own party agenda rather than interest of the university students which I felt personally they could not be careless about. Second, most of the these events and the exchange were personal attacks rather anything else and cheap shots at each party. They were prepared to scarify the interest of their fellow students for the benefit of their political movement. Nonetheless, what was more upsetting and disturbing is the way they looked upon those who do not participate in political activity in the campus are less patriotic than them. I was among those who were labelled as "Standbys" But I am no less patriotic than any of them. Those elites brought nothing but destruction to Sudan and the fabric of its society with no exception. No one of them has the moral ground from which he or she can judge us. We were more active in civic activities inside the university and outside in the heart of our community. We represent the majority of the Sudanese people who just fed up with them and decided to ignore them all.

If they are Sudan's only hope then, I guess there is not any hope.