Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Podcast Info
    • Hanania Podcast intro
    • Live Arab Radio
  • Your Views
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Toggle search form
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12 American Arabs
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action American Arabs
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    When Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot targeted Arab businesses in 2021 and 2022 Activism
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast Arab News
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols interviewed on live Arab American radio in Detroit with host Ray Hanania Friday Dec. 9, 2022
    Nichols discusses need to improve Arab-Black relations in Chicagoland American Arabs
  • Voting sticker issued to voters in Cook County elections in 2016. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Gov. Pritzker Announces Six Appointments to Boards and Commissions — no Arabs included American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Pritzker again ignores needs of Arab businesses in latest appointments Activism
  • Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) official candidate endorsements for the November 8, 2022 General elections.
    Arab American Democratic Club issues endorsements for Nov. 8, 2022 Cook County Illinois elections Activism
  • Arab Democrats urge NO VOTE on Gov. J.B. Pritzker re-election bid Activism
  • Assyrian American GOP issues endorsements in Nov, 8, 2022 elections
    Assyrian American GOP group endorses candidates in Illinois Activism
  • Abdullah Hammoud, elected Mayor of Dearborn Nov. 2, 2021. Photo courtesy of Abdullah Hammoud Facebook Page
    AHRC’s 2022 Spirit of Humanity Gala a Great Success American Arabs
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts Arab World
  • Rep. Cyril Nichols to be feted by supporters at fundraiser Saturday Oct. 22 Activism
  • Stand up For Human Rights website, United Nations
    UN experts condemn Israel’s ‘sadistic’ punitive measures against French-Palestinian rights defender Salah Hammouri Activism
Students Protest in Constantine Source Nozha in Algeria. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi

Arab Spring in Sudan and Algeria continues: a comparison

Posted on June 21, 2019June 21, 2019 By Ghassan Rubeiz No Comments on Arab Spring in Sudan and Algeria continues: a comparison
SHARE ...
2      1  
 
  
3
Shares

  • Tweet

Arab Spring in Sudan and Algeria continues: a comparison

By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz

Arab citizens learn to live in, adapt to and cope with five different controlling, self-serving, adversarial realities: the government, the military, the religious establishment, the militia and the outside powers.  Any time there is a new Arab uprising we witness courage and hope. Recently two Arab nations, Sudan and Algeria, surprised the world with their distinct but parallel revolts. Success would be miraculous and far reaching.

Which of these two ongoing North African Arab uprisings is more resilient in confronting the counterrevolutionary forces? To answer this complex question, consider five formidable challenges the demonstrators have to deal with: the legacy of the deposed rulers, the credibility of the military transition teams, the role of Islamists in the respective power structures, the impact of the militias in the protest, and the intervention of the regional and foreign powers.

In Sudan, the thirty-year rule of President Omar al-Bashir was terminated by a popular uprising which erupted in December 2018; and in Algeria, the twenty-year rule of President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika was terminated by an equally impressive uprising which emerged in February. Sudan’s revolt has been active for over 4 months and Algeria’s for over 6 months. 

Father and son attend rally in Algeria against Bouteflika. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi
Father and son attend rally in Algeria against Bouteflika. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi

In these two Arab countries the pressure to oust the two presidents originated from popular protest, but it was the military which orchestrated the step down of the unpopular rulers; it was the military which automatically assumed power, without the consent of the people who seek total regime change. In both countries the representatives of the uprisings are opposed to the unfortunate military power-grab. Since the departure of the dictators, the protestors have been engaged in tense on-and-off negotiations with the army for the purpose of reaching a national consensus on a plan of transition.

Until lately, the leaders of the Sudanese uprising had been making significant progress in negotiating acceptable terms with the Transition Military Council for the smooth transfer of authority to civilian rule.  In Algeria negotiations with the chief of the armed forces have been slow-moving and superficial. The latest message to the protestors from the chief of the armed forces, General Gaid Salah, as patriarchal as ever, says “follow the constitution to avoid the danger of political vacuum.”

But on June 3 the uprising in Sudan met a serious setback.  A murderous Sudanese paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Force, RSF, suddenly attacked the peaceful protestors resulting in 130 fatalities and several hundred injuries.

Editorial staff of the Sudanese newspaper al-Jarida protest censorship in June 2018 after government officials blocked the distribution of their newspaper because of political content. Photo courtesy of the Committee to Protect Journalists
Editorial staff of the Sudanese newspaper al-Jarida protest censorship in June 2018 after government officials blocked the distribution of their newspaper because of political content. Photo courtesy of the Committee to Protect Journalists

Despite this setback the Sudanese democracy initiative continues and the struggle remains non-violent. The demonstrators have shifted their strategy from centralized street demonstrations to decentralized nation-wide civil disobedience. After the international outcry to this brutal crackdown the military rulers have softened their position and are ready for unconditional negotiations with the protestors. But the protestors are not willing to negotiate unless their demands are met: prisoners released, internet restored and the recent massacre investigated. Regardless how the course of negotiations develops it has become clear that the Sudanese military rulers are unpredictable and unreliable. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sudan-politics/sudan-civil-disobedience-campaign-keeps-businesses-in-khartoum-shuttered-idUSKCN1TC19P . The savage assault has shown that Omar al-Bashir’s style of despotic leadership continues in Sudan’s military; his legacy is active. In contrast, the Algerian army, although rigid and possessive about power, is still respected by the Algerian people. It is the army chief General Gaid Salah who is gradually losing the trust of the protestors.

The third challenge to the protestors is the status of religious institutions in each of the two societies. This factor includes the power of Islamic political parties and the outlook of society toward the role of religion in politics. In Sudan a regressive form of an Islamist movement is strong and the constitution is Sharia-oriented. But in Algeria the parties of political Islam are divided and have lost much of their clout and credibility.  However, religion was one of several mobilizing forces in the Algerian struggle for liberation from France in the 1950s. In the current Algerian constitution Islam has been a source of legislation but not the dominant source. https://www.hudson.org/research/13934-political-islam-in-post-conflict-algeria.

Militias are another threat to reform movements. Sudan’s instability and chaotic politics have for decades allowed the militia to proliferate. Al-Bashir sponsored the RSF militia to deal with his domestic problems and used them as mercenaries abroad .  The RSF led a racial, genocidal attack on the rebel Darfur community in the west of Sudan in 2003; they have been active in warfare again in Darfur and elsewhere over the past four years. Algeria does not have any tolerance for militant sub-state organizations. In past decades, Algeria’s militias have been virtually eliminated with brutal force by the national armed forces.

The last challenge faced by the two uprisings pertains to the influence of outside powers. The protestors in both countries are admired by the international community but not by the powerful regional powers.  The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Egypt are supporting the Khartoum government and financing Sudan’s near-bankrupt army.  The Sudanese junta is in close contact with Cairo, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. The message from most of the leaders of the Arab states to the protestors is: de-stabilizing rebellions are unwelcome. With rare exceptions, Arab rulers fear a democracy wave across their borders; freedom and equality necessitate the overhauling of autocratic systems. https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/the-battle-for-democracy-in-sudan-26234191

On the other hand, leading regional powers diplomatically and politically support the self-assigned military transitions. Moreover, Sudan relies heavily on regional (and international) aid. https://lobelog.com/remaking-al-bashirs-regime-in-sudan/. Algeria is not dependent on financial assistance from the Gulf States or elsewhere.  Making war was a form of “fund raising” for deposed al-Bashir and his followers.  For easy cash, over ten thousand of Sudan’s young men (some children) are fighting abroad, as mercenaries, within the Saudi-led coalition, in Yemen’s senseless war.   

Using this five-factor comparative model for assessing uprising challenges, it appears that Sudan’s protestors have a greater threat from counter-revolutionary forces than Algeria’s protestors.  First, the inconsistent and violent character of the Sudanese junta mirrors al-Bashir’s violent and unreliable record. In contrast, the Algerian armed forces have not yet taken any dramatic or violent moves against the uprising. It may be harder for the Sudanese uprising to strike a reliable deal with the army establishment. Also, it may be harder for Sudan’s uprising to count on uniting their people on a secular democratic front given the strength of Islamists in Khartoum.  Third, Algeria’s resilient protestors show their stamina in resisting the intervention of regional and foreign powers. The state control of militias and tribal divisions also help during phases of political transition.

This comparison of the resilience of the two uprisings is limited to five factors; the accuracy of assessment is, all said, far from perfect. For instance, the threats to reform posed by ethnic and sectarian tensions are hard to measure. These tensions are momentarily suppressed (especially in Sudan) by the protestors to preserve nation unity.

Regardless of which uprising is more resilient, the battle for democracy is complex and unpredictable. Still, there are signs of hope for both countries. In Sudan women are in leadership roles in the struggle. Some regional involvement has been helpful for Sudan: while Washington is staying neutral, African leaders, particularly, the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, are offering sincere and rational mediation between the protestors and the Transition Military Council. The most impressive feature of the Algerian uprising is the determination to protect the negotiations from manipulative outside intervention.

Given the deep distrust of Arab military leadership to open systems of governance, these two uprisings are taking on a formidable task. If they succeed the entire Arab world will change. Even if they fail they will have left some precious lessons for the inevitable future cycles of protest.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ghassan Rubeiz
Ghassan Rubeiz
Blogger, writer at The Arab Daily News online
Dr. Ghassan Rubeiz is an Arab-American writer, journalist and commentator on issues of development, peace and justice. He is the former Middle East Secretary of the Geneva-based World Council of Churches. Reach him at rubeizg@gmail.com.
Ghassan Rubeiz
Latest posts by Ghassan Rubeiz (see all)
  • To what extent is Hezbollah responsible for the current crisis in Lebanon? - January 17, 2023
  • World community should do more than rejecting Israel’s baseless terrorist accusation against Palestinian NGOs - January 12, 2022
  • Lebanese political system cannot fix itself, responsible external assistance is badly needed - October 23, 2021

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
2      1  
 
  
3
Shares
 
3
Shares
2     1   
 
 Tweet 
Bloggers, Commentary, Ghassan Rubeiz, North Africa, Opinion Tags:Democracy, North African, Sudan. Algeria

Post navigation

Previous Post: UN Human Rights agency releases report on Khashoggi murder
Next Post: Middle East Analyst: Solution to Iran Issue is Israel-Palestine

Related Posts

  • Arab governments investing heavily in Satellite TV News Arab World
  • The city and harbor of Algiers, Algeria (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Algiers’ African Migrants “Partially Open Door” Policy Abdennour Toumi
  • Lawn mower and gas can
    Wives should start with lawns to understand husbands Commentary
  • The Ambassador of Morocco (2nd from left) greets Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley (2nd from right) at his City Hall office to receive a commemoration honoring the special relationship between America and Morocco. Picture center is Baker Lemseffer who was the director of the CHicago office of the Morocco Cultural Center. On the right is Col. Jack Reilly and on the left is a Moroccan aid who accompanied the Ambassador. The story was the main story in a 1976 issue of The Middle Eastern Voice Newspaper published by Ray Hanania in Chicagoland. Photo (C) Copyright 1976-2017 Ray Hanania. All Rights Reserved
    Chicago aldermen move to re-establish Arab rights American Arabs
  • Through guns Saudi Arabia and Iran “negotiate” in Yemen Arab World
  • Elysee Palace, in Paris, France. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi
    “Olive Branch” Paris Position: Reticence and Opacity Arab World

More Related Articles

Ghassan Rubeiz United by strategy Palestinians could assume leadership of peace making Arab World
Christians surviving in Taybeh and Bethlehem in Occupied Palestine during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Photos courtesy of Dr. Maria Khoury Update from Palestine in wake of Coronavirus Pandemic Arab World
English: Detailed map of Israeli settlements on the West Bank, January 2006. Produced by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - public UN source. Map Centre: http://www.ochaopt.org/?module=displaysection§ion_id=96&format=html (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Peace campaign could deliver Palestine to Palestinians Arab World
head shot Grand Pardon or Repentance!  Abdennour Toumi
French Croissant Without Beur or Black Coffee Abdennour Toumi
Konya: When the Mind Meets the Heart Abdennour Toumi

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Tiktok.com/@RayHanania
    Israeli-push behind effort to ban Tiktok in the United States
    January 19, 2023
  • Ghassan Rubeiz
    To what extent is Hezbollah responsible for the current crisis in Lebanon?
    January 17, 2023
  • Image from Rashid-al-Din Hamadani's "A Compendium of Chronicles. Image courtesy of Wikipedia
    Why allow religious extremists to re-define Islam in the West?
    January 10, 2023
  • CAIR Executive Director and co-founder Nihad Awad
    This Thanksgiving, let’s use our Blessings for good
    November 23, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12
    January 18, 2023
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd
    January 12, 2023
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action
    January 11, 2023
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    When Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot targeted Arab businesses in 2021 and 2022
    January 4, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12
    January 18, 2023
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd
    January 12, 2023
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action
    January 11, 2023
  • Stand up For Human Rights website, United Nations
    UN experts condemn Israel’s ‘sadistic’ punitive measures against French-Palestinian rights defender Salah Hammouri
    October 19, 2022

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Ad-Pantry-essentials.jpg
  • ZiyadBrandLogo-2016BlackRedBackgrnd.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Sices-Ad.jpg
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib, book cover. Photo courtesy of Cune Press
    Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib
    November 1, 2021
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme