Sudanese and Palestinian Canadians Unite at Demonstration Against War in Sudan

On Saturday, August 24th, Sudanese community members from across Canada, lead by students from Carleton University's Sudanese Students Union, gathered in Ottawa for a day of demonstrations to demand an end to the conflict. Demonstrators gathered at Global Affairs Canada, Parliament Hill, and the University of Ottawa during the event.

Demonstration organizers stated in a press release that: Sudan is currently facing one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises due to ongoing conflicts between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since April 2023, this conflict has resulted [in] Over 11 million people been displaced, including 6.6 million internally and 1.8 million who have fled to neighboring countries. More than 25.6 million people are suffering from acute hunger, with famine conditions declared in parts of North Darfur. Severe disruptions in health services, over 80% out of service, resulting in outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and measles.

Palestinian Youth Movement in Ottawa and other Ottawa Palestinian organizations cancelled their own demonstration for Gaza on the weekend in order to walk in the Palestinian Contingent of the demonstration for Sudan. These organizers stated on their social media "the local Ottawa Palestinian community coalition will not be having our regular weekend protests for Palestine this weekend to answer the call for solidarity from Sudanese groups in Ottawa. Instead, we will be marching as a Palestinian contingent alongside our Sudanese brothers and sisters. For over a year, the war in Sudan has raged on, with thousands of women, men, and children massacred and displaced from their homes. It is our duty and moral imperative to stand in solidarity with our Sudanese comrades and amplify their demands, which include the protection of civilians, opening safe corridors for humanitarian aid, and strengthening family reunification programs for Sudanese people. From Sudan to Palestine, our struggles are intertwined and our goal is one: freedom for all our people! We will not stand by and watch silently as our Sudanese brothers and sisters are massacred by the thousands. We stand in full solidarity and support with them, and are honoured to march side by side and amplify their demands."

Dr. Yipeng Ge, who has been organizing healthcare workers in Ottawa and across the country in solidarity with healthcare workers in Gaza also marched in the demonstration for Sudan. The poster he carried highlighted that Sudan is also facing a major health care crisis as, according to Doctors without Borders, over 70% to 80% of the hospitals in conflict affected areas are no longer functional. The poster also highlighted that according to UNICEF at least 77 hospitals have come under attack since the start of the war.

Sudanese Canadian Communities Associations in Canada, the umbrella organization representing Sudanese community associations in cities across Canada is asking Sudanese Canadians and their allies to demand that the Canadian government take action on the following issues:

• Ensure Canada's foreign policy aligns with humanitarian principles to address this crisis, work with allies, the UN, and like-minded countries to strengthen existing initiatives to end the war and limit its expansion.
• Commit to delivering food and medical aid to the Sudanese people through existing specialized organizations of the United Nations and international humanitarian partners, and local organizations.
• While acknowledging Canada's humanitarian pathway for family members, the scope of 3250 applications for Sudanese family members fleeing the conflict, is very limited, slow, we urgently request the Government to mirror the humanitarian commitment demonstrated in previous policies in similar situations such as the war in Ukraine.
• Lead diplomatically in the efforts intending to deter international and regional parties from interfering in the interest of either one of the warring parties, which would only serve to prolong.

To send a letter to your Member of Parliament informing them about the war in Sudan and asking them to take action, click here

Ask your Member of Parliament to forward this letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Marc Miller

Canadians are particularly encouraged to reach out to the Members of Parliament who sit on the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, see full list here