On June 30, 2012 almost 1000 Sudanese people including representatives from at least eight organisations walked from Lancaster Gate to Downing Street. There they delivered a letter asking the Prime Minister to take more assertive action towards the Government of Sudan to ensure humanitarian access into all areas affected by conflict.
The walk to Downing Street was supported by people from all regions of Sudan. It coincided with an international day of action following recent anti-government protests in Khartoum; the 30 June marks the 23rd anniversary of President al-Bashir taking power in Sudan.
The Sudan government has vowed to crack down on protests in the country and many activists have been detained. The protests began with students using the #SudanRevolts hashtag on Twitter.@Moodizz wrote on twitter: “The most beautiful thing about London protest is that everyone is united.”Many walked the 6km to Downing Street barefoot in a symbol of solidarity with the hundreds of people who are fleeing Sudan on foot every week. This event was also supported by presence of Baroness Cox.
Aerial bombardment and ground fighting in the last year have caused half a million people to be displaced from South Kordofan,Eastern Sudan (Nuba Mountains) and Blue Nile State with over 200,000 refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries. The conflict has also caused the loss of land, a failed harvest, and the destruction of properties.
Humanitarian access and assistance to the two areas has been denied by the Government of Sudan since the beginning of the conflict. Many of those displaced survive today by eating leaves and wild fruits, without clean water or medicine, hiding in caves and forests; an increasing number of them do not survive.
Meanwhile, 2.5 million people remain displaced from their homes in Darfur and 300,000 are living as refugees in Chad. An escalation in violence in Darfur, blocking of humanitarian aid and denial of visas to humanitarian organisations mean many civilian lives are at risk.