n
nPosted on June 30, 2019
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nToday is the anniversary of a bloodless coup in Sudan, in 1989.
n
n
n
nI always like the sound of a “bloodless coup” – not as good as a peaceful transfer of power through an election, of course, but way better than a years-long, bloody civil war.
n
n
n
n
However, when Colonel Omar al-Bashir took over the government of Sudan, there was nothing but bad news for the Sudanese people. His military government suspended political parties and made the country into a dictatorship. The country became a theocracy, with Islamic law ruling everyone, including non-Muslims. Independent newspapers were gone, separate branches of government were gone, and political figures, journalists, and even officers in the army were imprisoned or executed.
However, when Colonel Omar al-Bashir took over the government of Sudan, there was nothing but bad news for the Sudanese people. His military government suspended political parties and made the country into a dictatorship. The country became a theocracy, with Islamic law ruling everyone, including non-Muslims. Independent newspapers were gone, separate branches of government were gone, and political figures, journalists, and even officers in the army were imprisoned or executed.
There was more and more bad news, including the War in Darfur, a genocide, state-sponsored terrorism, repression of anyone who opposed the government. South Sudan broke away from the rest of the nation in 2011, and the economy – which was bad before all of this started, so long ago, became even worse.
n
n
n
nThis year, in April of 2019, al-Bashir’s government was finally overthrown, and al-Bashir was arrested. A state of emergency was declared – and although al-Bashir is finally out of power, people still don’t have what they need, and protesters are still being mistreated and arrested.
n
n
n
nA protest has been called for today – we’ll see what happens!
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nAnd now…good stuff about Sudan:
n
n
n
nThere are fascinating historical sites, like the Pyramids of Meroe.
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nThere is amazing wildlife.
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nThe Jebel Marra Volcano looks a bit like a 2-eyed (green-eyed!) monster, from above.
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nCamels look amazing when walking through the turquoise waters of the Red Sea.
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nSpeaking of the turquoise waters of the Red Sea:
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nAlso on this date:
n
n
n
Anniversary of a very sweet art show
Anniversary of a very sweet art show
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nIndependence Day in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
n
n
n
n
n
nAnniversary of the Tunguska Event
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nAnniversary of the discovery of the Excelsior Diamond
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nAnniversary of the 1859 crossing of Niagara Falls on a tightrope
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nAnniversary of a Ballet First
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nSocial Media Day
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nArmy Day in Guatemala
n
n
n
n
n
n
nArmy Day in Guatemala
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nShrimp Festival in Flanders
n
n
n
n
n
n(Last weekend in June)
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nLog Cabin Day
n
n
n
n
n(Last Sunday in June)
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nPlan ahead:
n
n
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
n
- n
- July holidays
n
n
- n
- July birthdays
n
n
n
- n
- Historical anniversaries in July
n
n
n
n
n
n
n