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Elias Fath El Rahman is a Sudanese poet, writer and publisher. He has published

several books of poetry and literary criticism including three volumes of poetry: The Voice of

the Late Night Wanderer, No One Could Save the Horses, and TheTears of the Idol are Not Shed

for the God.

Among his publications on literary criticism are: Al-Mutanabi’ and Migration, The

Tooth of the Enemy and Abu Nawas as a Contemporary Poet. He recently established Madarik,

a publishing house based in Cairo and Khartoum, and specialises in Sudanese literature,

literary and artistic criticism and documentation.

 The Sudanese Writers Union

"Sudan, like many postcolonial nation-states inAfrica, is characterised bymulti-ethnic,multi-cultural

andmulti-religious communities – a pluralistic society formed by people who have differences in

their sense of belonging and national identity. Differing and contested visions for the country and

its future range fromthe extreme of partitioning, the preservation of the status quo by anymeans

necessary (including violence thatwould perpetuate inequalitieswithin a united country), to upholding

the right of self-determination for disenfranchised regions or groups. Official policies have so far

resulted in a constant crisis of governance, civil war, ethnic cleansing, famine and otherman-made

disasters, which have gripped the country since its independence in the mid-1950s.As in other

countries, the conflicts in Sudan, whether the north/south civil war or the tragedy in Darfur, were

to a large extent caused by unequal development in the colonial and postcolonial periods, and

persistent inequalities in power sharing and access to wealth.

Yet Sudan also provides a possible case for a creativemodel to emerge as a solution to the

current crisis of nation-states inAfrica. Such amodel could be envisaged in the context of a unity

that preserves and respects diversity within a pluralistic democratic system. Sudan’s history of

“people’s power” provides a sense of optimismin this regard. Sudanwas one of the first democracies

in the region, starting its political life after independence as amultiparty and parliamentary democracy.

Popular dissentmanaged, through non-violentmeans such as civil disobedience and strikes,

to topple twomilitary governments, in 1964 and 1985.The struggle for democracy continues vigorously

despite the obstacles caused by the policies of the National Islamic Front and its ruling organ, the

National Congress Party.The aftermath of the 2005 Comprehensive PeaceAgreement, which ended

the north/south civil war, has opened a space, albeit limited, for some level of civil liberties.

Despite the vicious cycles ofmilitary rule that have plagued it, Sudan continues to have a strong

base of civil society groups and grassroots democraticmovements.Ashining example of such groups

is the SudaneseWriters Union – a true beacon of hope in the struggle to build a strong foundation

of civic engagement.

Efforts to set up the Sudanese Writers Union began in the mid-1970s with a preparatory committee

of academics and writers, including its current general secretary Kamal El Gizouli, the well-known

poet, journalist, human rights activist and lawyer.The Union elected its leading committee and

engaged in public programmes.These activities and the Union’s role in organising writers and artists

resulted in several of its leading figures being harassed and detained by the totalitarian regime of

General Numeri (1969-1985). It was only possible to re-establish the Union after the popular uprising

in April 1985 toppled the dictatorship and restored democracy between 1985-1989.

The Sudanese Writers Union’s main objective is to unify the public voices of Sudanese writers

of all ideological and disciplinary persuasions under one organisation. Its leadership has consistently

pursued the ideal of openness towards all writers, irrespective of their intellectual orientation, gender

or ethnic background, insisting that the Union must reflect the ideals of diversity and openness to

different schools of thought. Among the goalswritten into the Union’s constitution are the following:

First, to mobilise, in one unifying body, the efforts of all Sudanese writers who believe in democracy,

who acknowledge and respect diversity of Sudanese cultures, and who safeguard the autonomy

and independent identity of the Union against any governmental or other political interference or

influence. Second, to work on behalf of Sudanese writers to defend and protect their creativity and

intellectual production in a free and democratic environment. Third, to commit to the deepening

of democratic values and practices, and to uphold the principles of freedom of speech, writing and

publishing in all intellectual and creative fields. The most important principle guiding the Union is

its commitment to reflect and uphold themulticultural identity of Sudan. Its constitution encourages

engagement with local and global issues, favours world peace and friendship between nations,

promotes themaintenance of a culture of human rights, and takes a strong stand against any kind

of discrimination, whether based on race, colour, religion, political beliefs or gender.

From1985 to 1989, despite itsmeagre logistical and financial resources, the Union succeeded in

achievingmost of its objectives at the local and national level. It alsomaintained a strong record of

engagement with the outside world, establishing co-operation protocols with similar organisations

inAfrica, theArab world and the world at large. It built links with regional and international writers

organisations, such as the Pan-AfricanWriters Union, theAfro-AsianWriters Union and theArabic

NGOsDemocratic Network. It participated in numerous regional and international forums, such as

the UN Conference for International NGOs.

Following themilitary coup of June 1989 that brought the currentmilitary Islamist regime to power,

theUnion, likemost Sudanese civil society organisations,was immediately banned, dissolved and

evacuated fromits headquarters, as part of a series of oppressive decrees that resulted in a complete

paralysis of independent civil society groups.The Union’smembers were again subjected to brutal

harassment including torture and detention for long periodswithout trial.Many Sudanese intellectuals,

among themmembers of the Union, were forced to flee the country. During the past two decades,

oppressivemeasures against any kind of free intellectual activity have been imposed on the whole

country. Despite such harsh repressive actions, some writers and activists have chosen to

courageously remain inside the country and continue their struggle for civil liberties and freedomof

expression. Several of theUnion’smembers have spentmultiple years in prison as political detainees,

including its general secretary Kamal El Gizouli andMahjoub Sharief, better known as the People’s

Poet,whowere adopted byAmnesty International andHumanRightsWatch as prisoners of conscience,

with international campaigns waged to save their lives and secure their freedom. During their

detention, Pen International also adopted both El Gizouli and Sharief as writers at risk.

It was only after the peace agreement between the Government and the SPLM/SPLAin 2003

and the issuing of the InterimConstitution in 2005 that the re-establishment of the Union became

possible – an event now referred to as “the second birth of the SudaneseWriters Union”.The Union

was re-registered as an NGO in July 2006 and held its first general conference in September 2006

under the title ‘Towards a Democratic Enterprise for PeacefulAcculturation in Sudan’.

The SudaneseWritersUnion’s history and contributions represent thewider struggle for a united,

democratic and secular Sudan where cultural diversity, rather than being used as a tool of

discrimination in political conflicts, would be valued, respected and cherished as an indispensable

asset.Through its efforts, the Union demonstrates remarkable courage and commitment. Its leaders

are well known, not only for their passionate work in defence of social and cultural justice, but also

for the heavy price they and their families have paid in their fight for such ideals.

The Union truly embodies the determination of writers and intellectuals to build a strong

democratic society in Sudan.Through their activism and their intellectual contributions, they

demonstrate that culture and cultural diversity, given the opportunity to flourish in a democratic

environment, could become a source of a great blessing rather than a cause for conflict. In awarding

the Union, the Prince Claus Fund sends a strongmessage of support for the principles of democracy

and respect for cultural diversity that the SudaneseWriters Union have been fighting for, against

very difficult odds and for long decades."