Some of the worst persecutors of Christians on earth serve in the government of Sudan. If you follow that country, you’re likely confused. Even before this ‘Arab Spring déjà vu all over again’ began, Sudan was complicated. In the last few days, truth has become even harder to discern than usual. The situation changes from day to day, hour to hour.

Should we cheer for the apparent “stepping down” of International Criminal Court (ICC)-indicted war criminal President Omar al-Bashir? Should we trust our lying eyes? More importantly, should the United States’ government trust their lying eyes?

What the People Face

It is important to understand what the Sudanese people are facing. These confusing changes may also touch our opinion on Sudan’s supposed cooperation with the United States on global terrorism.

For almost five months now, there has been a popular revolt taking place across Sudan. Since December, men, women, and young people in growing numbers have been in the streets. They’re protesting the government and calling for an end to al-Bashir’s 30-year dictatorship.

In keeping with the character of ICC-indicted war criminals, Bashir’s top leadership responded to peaceful protests with brutal force. They fired live ammunition at protesters. They pursued wounded activists into the very hospital corridors. And then they targeted doctors for treating them.

Are Five Genocides Enough for Us?

These actions are not too surprising for a regime that has perpetrated five genocides (South Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Darfur, Nuba Mountains 2, Blue Nile State). The National Islamic Front regime is committed to building the first pure Arab, Islamist state (Caliphate) in Africa. How? By killing or displacing all of the black, African indigenous people groups from North, South, East, and West.

This is also a regime that has managed to stay in power for decades. It has outwitted the West in the past, and it appears to be outwitting the West again. But the people of Sudan are far less naïve about the situation. Sudanese protesters warned that the Islamists, working together with the Communists (did you know that there was a strong Communist element in Sudan?) would try to hijack the revolution. Seems as if Sudan has the same problem with a red-green alliance that we have in the United States.

In the past week, what appeared to be a fact one day was proven to be a lie the next. It was typical Sudan regime policy of “change the face.” That is, exchange one bad leader for another and take the pressure of off your government by duping the world.

Timeline of Transition

This most recent change of face was executed in a flawless theatrical performance worthy of Gilbert & Sullivan.

• Thursday, April 4. Seven U.S. Senators send a bi-partisan letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressing the need for urgent attention to U.S. policy on Sudan.
• Saturday, April 6. Protests that had slowed down ramp up again. Thousands of demonstrators march to the Presidential compound and Army headquarters.
• Sudan National Security forces continue attacks on protesters, but regular soldiers begin to defend them.
• Thursday, April 11. Months of protests culminate in a military coup in which the Sudan armed forces removed al-Bashir from power. He and many top co-leaders and architects of genocide face arrest. Troops storm the Islamic Movement headquarters and protesters cheer.
• The rejoicing of the people cuts short. The National Security Services and the Army announce they will suspend the constitution. They declare a state of emergency, and plan to rule Sudan for the next two years.
• The U.S. State Department suspends “normalization” talks with Sudan scheduled for the last week of April.
• The Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) issue a statement of solidarity with the Sudanese people.
• A statement of support also from the co-chairs of the bi-partisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA).
• Omar al-Bashir replaced with former Defense Minister, General Awad Ibn Auf. The people view this as a slap in the face. Ibn Auf faced sanctions from the U.S. government in 2006 for his role in the genocidal campaign against Darfur.
• Friday, April 12. General Ibn Auf resigns in the face of continuing protests, replaced by another of al-Bashir’s inner circle, Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdelrahman. He serves as general inspector of the armed forces. According to General Abakar Abdallah, one of the authors of Genocide in Sudan, “General Burhan is among the military commanders that actively participated in the genocide in Darfur.” He was responsible for the torture and death of thousands.
• Saturday, April 13. The Commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (aka Hemeti) sworn in as interim vice-president of Sudan. Under his leadership the RSF has committed egregious violations of human rights: raids, murders, rapes, abductions, destruction of villages, etc. in Darfur, Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile State.
• National Intelligence and Security Service Chief Salah Gosh (BFF of the CIA) resigns. Although he is considered one of the main criminals of the regime, we see no sign that he will be held accountable for the atrocities committed.
• Sunday, April 14. The Charge D’Affaires at the Sudan Embassy in Washington, D.C., Mohamed Atta al Moula, is fired.

The protesters didn’t work and suffer just to swear in a new boss, same as the old boss. As many as two million Sudanese continue the protests. They still refused to leave as of Monday night, April 15, Khartoum time.

Clean the Government

Although the latest phase of the military council lifted the curfew (people ignored it anyway!) it insisted on Monday that people go home so they could “clean the streets.” Protesters refused, saying, “We’ll clean the streets. You clean the government.”

They are demanding a sovereign civilian council to create a civilian government. The Sudan Professional Association (SPA), a group that supports the nationwide demonstrations declared: “[W]e are at a crossroads; either a complete victory of [our] great struggles or a desperate attempt to reproduce the old regime.”

The long-time Sudan advocates and humanitarians of the Persecution Project Foundation reveal, “Bashir’s government is teetering on the edge of the abyss, because it’s an Islamo-fascist system that has murdered and looted for nearly 30 years.”

Every decent nation and individual around the globe should want to push Bashir’s government — including the new/old military council led by the Darfur war criminals — into the abyss. Unfortunately, the people of the revolution are not find the solidarity they need from many places. For instance, the Saudis and UAE have expressed their support for Sudan’s military council.

Sitting Down with the Genocide Guys

The U.S. and the U.K. have been a wee bit more coy, but they still agree to sit in the presence of these blood-drenched genocide-makers. Some say that a meeting is just a meeting. But in those quiet, very civilized meetings full of cups of tea, deceptive flattery, and Arab proverbs, far from the madding shouts of those noisy African Sudanese, Western diplomats lose their minds.

U.S. policy on Sudan needs to align with the madding shouts of the people. To stay true to ourselves, the U.S. should stand in solidarity with those who fought all these months. In the case of the peoples of Darfur, Nuba, and Blue, think years. They fight for a civilian government that represents all of the people, a secular democracy not sullied by Sharia, and for religious freedom. The people of Sudan are not willing to give in this time. Neither should we.