There emerges a new wave of African youth disenchanted with the prevailing status quo in their nations and across the continent. In Sudan, these young generations have vocally expressed their aspirations through marches, grassroots organisations and calls for freedom, peace and justice during and after the December 2018 Revolution, which persists amid the ongoing war that erupted in April 2023.
Growing up in a nation that gained political independence three or four decades before they were born, these youths have witnessed the failure of most institutions and elites to fulfil the promises of genuine independence. Despite the exit of foreign colonisers, Sudan remains entrapped in the grip of colonial and imperial legacies, perpetuated by national elites who have brought little change to governance structures inherited from British rule.
The currents of neoliberalism have seized control of Sudan’s institutions of academia, research, media, civil society and politics, particularly since the 1990s, with the global sharp turn to the right. The NGO-isation of public life and the interlinkages between international donors and local entities have led to the portraying of political economy as a ghost from a distant past, discouraging any serious resistance to neoliberal discourse.
The young revolutionaries of Sudan have had to confront walls of isolation, both local and global. Subjected to a ruthless military dictatorship enforcing extreme Islamic fundamentalism and a brutal market economy, they have relied on self-education to inform their resistance and political organising theories in the face of intimidation, ridicule, or even enticement.
Access to technological resources has been limited and public education, when available, has been inadequate to equip students and graduates with tools to engage with critical narratives and connect beyond mainstream discourse. Access to revolutionary literature and research has been particularly challenging, with activists going to extra lengths to overcome these challenges.
Some posted on social media outlets asking for people who could lend access to platforms that published relevant literature and materials. Reading groups were created throughout the country and in the virtual world where members translated, summarised, shared and discussed relevant literature they could access. An inspiring young Sudanese revolutionary, author of numerous books on political economy, used his mobile phone to write his books because he couldn’t afford a personal computer.
ROAPE has been a vital resource for many of these young activists and scholars, offering critical insights that challenge hegemonic narratives and foster social change. ROAPE provides stories, literature and analysis that are absent from mainstream outlets, offering support and solidarity to those striving for change.
ROAPE blogs and long reads provided an important chronicle for the December 2018 Revolution, documenting alternative narratives and shedding light on crucial aspects that are overlooked by the dominant voices. They enabled debates and discussions among the many grassroots bodies, especially the Resistance Committees. Many voices that came out of these same bodies contributed to ROAPE, enriching the materials available about Sudan on the platform.
ROAPE’s efforts to break free from corporate publishing control towards offering open access and relying on community-led publishing models is a significant achievement towards democratising knowledge sharing and scholarship. This shift enables broader access to its rich resources, fostering wider participation and engagement, and building alliances.
As a reader and contributor to ROAPE, the 50th anniversary marks a significant milestone worthy of celebration. It is an opportunity to pay tribute to its visionary founders, supporters, readers and contributors. ROAPE’s vision and mission remain crucial for the future of social change, justice, development and independence for African people.
Looking ahead, I propose the translation of ROAPE articles into Arabic and other languages spoken in Africa, facilitating wider accessibility and reach. By allowing readers and contributors to organise voluntary translations, ROAPE can expand its impact and promote inclusivity.
In solidarity for many more anniversaries!
