Sudanese University Bombing Sheds Light on Impact of Global Acts of Violence on St. Kate's Community
Last week, a university bombing in Sudan showed how our St. Kate’s community has direct ties to acts of violence and chaos that happen around the globe. A cousin of one St. Kate’s student, who is a Business and Marketing Management major at the University of Medical Science and Technology in Sudan, was one of many who were injured and arrested last week when Sudanese officers violently invaded a student-led protest on campus.
*Update Feb. 21, 2023: An earlier version of this article named the student and her cousin. Due to the war in Sudan and the threat to democracy protesters, both names and all identifying photos have been removed from this article.
A first-year Public Health Major at St. Catherine University is one of many students in our community that is experiencing the hidden struggle of the separation from one’s family during times of war and violence.
As a St. Kate’s student body, it is important to stay globally aware of the crises and violence that directly impact members of this student body in order to foster a supportive, caring, and educative community. Acts of violence that occur around the world have resounding impacts on our St. Kate’s community.
Chairs used to barricaded survivors from the military. Credit: student’s cousin at the University of Medical Science and Technology
Nearly every day for the past four months, the people of Sudan have continually protested the ruling government party, led by President Omar Al-Bashir, and the policies they implemented which actively work against the Sudanese people. Al-Bashir is in his 30th year as president of Sudan. On February 22nd, 2019, Al-Bashir declared martial law, postponing the constitution and declaring a national state of emergency. This gave Al-Bashir unilateral power to make any ‘necessary’ decision. He is now refusing to relinquish this power, or step down as president. Protesters are calling for the removal of Al-Bashir as president as well as a full political and economical reformatting. These protesters have made all attempt to maintain a peaceful opposition, however they are met every time with violent and brutal governmental retaliation.
“Everywhere you go you don’t feel safe, you don’t know who to trust. You’re surrounded by people you don’t know and forced to do what they tell you. You have no control,” said the student at the University of Medical Science and Technology in a correspondence to his cousin that she shared with the Wheel.
He saw this retaliation first hand at his university, where students took breaks from their finals to fill the campus streets with peaceful protests and calls for policy change. When news of the protest reached law enforcement, armed government officials infiltrated the school with tear gas, sending students running for shelter. Officials proceed to perform extremely heinous acts including; beating (sometimes to death) , assaulting and groping female students, ripping hijabs off women to reveal their hair, and whipping victims with flaming oiled whips.
Officials arrested the student, along with others, for political unrest. They were taken away and subsequently tortured, mentally and physically. “They could do anything they wanted,” he said, “because the President declared martial law.” He was eventually released, and is now living in Kuwait, safe but not unharmed, with family.
“How do you support family through this when they are thousands of miles away?” the St. Kate’s student, whose cousin suffered through all this, asks herself. She describes experiencing feelings of sadness while living a half a world away from the violence impacting members of her family. In an interview with the student, she discussed and acknowledged the privilege she experiences while living in America, as she attends classes without fearing for her personal safety, while half a world away her 21 year old cousin is beaten and arrested while trying to do the same.
The Multicultural and International Programs and Services (MIPS) offices offer support and resources for students that may relate to this student’s story. Staff members there are equipped with the knowledge and connections needed to help those coping with this type of loss and grief.
“Providing support for these students directly correlates to the mission of our University,” commented Donna Hauer, Director of MIPS. It is important for our student body to be cognizant of the hidden fears and stresses that may haunt the lives of our neighbors. We must realize that what affects one part of the world affects us all.
