Hundreds of protesters marched through Oxford Street in central London on Saturday in a powerful display of solidarity with the people of Sudan, marking two years since the outbreak of civil war in the East African nation.
The demonstration comes amid growing outrage over a deadly attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a refugee camp near al-Fashir in the Darfur region, which claimed the lives of hundreds.
Protesters condemned the RSF’s actions and criticized foreign states such as the United Arab Emirates for allegedly providing financial and military support to the militia.
Chants of “From Gaza to Darfur, stop the war” echoed through the streets, drawing parallels between the crises in Sudan and Palestine and calling for an end to foreign intervention and military violence.
Despite recent reports that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have regained control of the capital, Khartoum, many demonstrators insisted that neither the SAF nor the RSF represent the Sudanese people or their hopes for freedom.
Activists described both groups as counter-revolutionary militias working to dismantle the popular movement that overthrew long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
Khadija, a member of Sudanese Women for Peace UK, highlighted the devastating impact of the war on women.
She told the crowd, “This war has cast a dark shadow over everyone. But it has been a great burden on the women.
“Millions of women have been displaced, finding themselves in camps deprived of the most basic necessities of life and human dignity.
“Women are subject to trumped up arrests and torture, particularly those who are accused of cooperating with the RSF.”
The protest also featured support from UK trade unions. Khalid Sidahmed, speaking on behalf of the Portsmouth Trades Union Council, criticized the British government’s role in the crisis.
He said that the UK presents itself as a peace broker, but it has historically undermined the Sudanese revolution.
“Acts of solidarity from trade unions are very important. Not just for the Sudanese people but for the working class in general,” he added.
Sidahmed emphasized that both warring factions are remnants of the old regime, saying, “This is a counter-revolutionary war aimed at crushing the Sudanese revolution. But if we remain united, they will not succeed.”
Protesters called for stronger international support for grassroots Sudanese movements and demanded an end to foreign military backing of militia groups.
Organizers vowed to continue raising awareness and pressuring governments until justice, democracy, and peace are restored in Sudan.
