Free Alim!

Over the past couple of years, the Sudanese government illegally detained many political activists, opposition party members, anti-NCP revolutionaries, students and journalists who spoke up against injustice. What happens to these detainees at national security prisons or “Ghost Houses” is incomprehensible and beyond any sane person’s mental capacity.

As many Sudanese people frequently choose to ignore such cases and go on about their daily lives in a state of denial, one case that indubitably deserves their attention is the case of Mohamed Hassan Alim, better known as Boushi.

Mohamed Hassan Alim, aka Boushi

In mid-December, Alim stood in front of a podium at the University of Khartoum and courageously confronted Nafie Ali Nafie for his crimes against the Sudanese people. He spoke up for you, me and the millions of Sudanese citizens who are struggling day to day to put bread on the table, find jobs and live a well-deserved respectful life. He voiced some of the frustrations we are facing because of the current government, and confronted Nafie and co for their corruption.

For three majestic minutes, Alim was the voice of every oppressed Sudanese person who ever endured a hardship in their life while watching the government privilege its own members and their families by generously offering them money, jobs, and perks earned with the blood and sweat of the average Sudanese people like they were theirs to give.

On December 26, 2011 Alim was arrested from his home while his mother watched as the police took him. He was taken to an undisclosed location and remains in the custody of national security.

Alim is a regular Sudanese citizen, like you and me, with a degree in Engineering who has been struggling for the past four years to find a job despite his qualifications. Like you and me, he is frustrated, fed up, angry. Unlike you and me, he fought his powerlessness and converted it into heroism by challenging the government and voicing what you, me and millions of Sudanese people are feeling but are unable to express.

"Freedom for Boushi". The NCP made a weak attempt to conceal the statement

Despite being arrested and tortured several times by national security, Alim always dusted himself off and fought back. His last attempt earned him another arrest, but it also earned him the eyes and ears of regular Sudanese citizens. The video where he confronted Nafie received over 230,000 views on YouTube and circulated all over Facebook and Twitter. A Facebook page was created in solidarity with him and has over 1,000 members.

There was no statement explaining the arrest of Alim; but we can only guess that his speech angered Nafie and other high profile governmental officials.

Alim’s freedom is our demand, and his blood is not only in Nafie’s hands, it’s in ours as well if we don’t speak up and demand his protection and his immediate release.

In a world where chivalry is dead and cowardice is spread like a viral disease, Alim stands out and is labeled Sudan’s Bouazizi.

The issues Alim took up with Nafie relate to corruption and favoritism… does this earn him an abduction and justify why his mother has to suffer not knowing his whereabouts, what is being done to him and if he will ever be released?

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How to lose a dictator in 10 steps

Tired of your dictator? Jealous of other countries dumping theirs and creating a new relationship with democracy?

In the wake of the new year and Sudan's independence day, I found it fitting to write a post explaining the 10 basic steps that are crucial for losing your dictator.

Now remember, getting rid of your dictator is no easy task, particularly if you have been in a relationship for over 22 years. He will act clingy, throw fits and bargain with you, but you mustn't back out under any circumstances. Make sure you follow the following steps thoroughly to guarantee the best results.

1- "I have seen better dance moves" is a good way to get the argument going. If there is one thing your dictator is confident of, it's his dance moves. Question that and you got yourself one shaken and flustered dictator.

2- Often bring up the fact that he is wanted by an international criminal court and argue along the lines of how you'd be better off with someone without a criminal record.

3- During a heated argument, threaten to side with any of the opposition parties.

4- Make regular hurtful comments about how unmoved and unimpressed you are by his most recent improvised speech and claim that it featured staged enthusiastic cheers and applause.

5- Often suggest that the ja3al tribe is inferior to any other tribe of your choosing.

6- Question the judgment of his cabinet and demand he replaces it with a new, more experienced one.

7- Use the term 'al7as koo3ak' (lick your elbow) very loosely and every time your dictator thinks he said something smart like 'ma dayreen jaghmasat adyan'.

8- Recognize Nubians, Darfurians and other marginalized people as real Sudanese people and not 21st century slaves.

9- Send 10,000 sheep to Obama and ask the US government to turn a new leaf and lift the sanctions imposed on your country.

10- Issue visas for Obama, Ocampo, the former Kenyan ambassador and all previously expelled NGOs to Sudan and insist they crash at your dictator's presidential palace.

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