The Splitting of the Mustard Seed (2-2)
By Ali Askouri
Throughout Sudan’s political struggle, despite the multiplicity and diversity of opposition groups, no political opposition has ever turned its opposition to the ruling regime into open hostility towards the people. Yet, “Tagaddum” (Progress) managed to achieve this unprecedented feat. Frankly, I cannot recall any opposition in the world that transformed its opposition to the government into open enmity towards the very people it claims to represent.
Today, Tagaddum’s problem is no longer with the authorities and their apparatus but rather with the Sudanese people directly—a real and open confrontation. This has become its fundamental problem. Every individual and family has a grievance with Tagaddum, waiting for the right moment to settle the score.
Like others, I used to hear about “the enemy of the people” and even watched films on the topic. I believed it was merely the imagination of writers and filmmakers. I thank God for extending my life to witness what I once thought was cinematic fantasy turn into reality with Tagaddum.
Tagaddum has now become a greater enemy of the people than its military wing. While the militia soldiers—who are mostly untrained thugs—kill, loot, and commit atrocities, Tagaddum is the mastermind. It is the one that devised the plans, indoctrinated the militia, secured foreign support, and sold them hollow dreams of power and control. They promised the militia control over the government and ownership of citizens’ homes, cars, and belongings by sheer force.
Indeed, militia leaders and soldiers have occupied people’s homes, looted their cars, stolen their possessions, and inflicted terror, humiliation, and displacement on the citizens. Meanwhile, Tagaddum remained silent, focusing on negotiating with the army to ensure the militia soldiers stay in these stolen homes, retain the looted cars, and keep their stolen properties. Their goal is to return to power with the help of the militia, parading in Gulf-style headgear, American suits, Italian and French sunglasses, Lacoste and Ralph Lauren shirts, Adidas shoes, and Charvet ties—all atop the skulls and endless sorrows of the Sudanese people.
Tagaddum bet on a criminal militia to bring it back to power and lost that bet. The lesson is over now. It’s time for you to leave in disgrace and shame. If you think you can remain part of the political scene, it would be a grave mistake—one that will cost you dearly in ways no one can predict. It is time for you to disappear in silence and humiliation.
In Algeria, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere, those who collaborated with the enemy faced either death or exile. Tens of thousands of Algerians who cooperated with the French fled to France. The same fate awaited the Vietnamese, Afghans, and Iraqis who collaborated with America. As for Afghans who sided with the Soviets during the occupation, they fled to Russia. These are well-documented historical facts. It happened before, and it will happen again. It’s simply because no nation—let alone its government—would accept traitors who caused the death of its people, violated their mothers, sisters, and wives, and looted their properties to live among them.
The Sudanese people are human beings with dignity and values, just like other societies. Their reaction will be no different from that of others. Leaving aside our religious teachings, which command retribution, history tells us that justice must be served. As General Al-Burhan said, “There will be no ‘forgive and forget’ this time.” His words do not reflect his personal opinion but rather the collective will of the Sudanese people. That is the voice of the people, so take heed, Tagaddum! I speak to you out of sincere advice.
To Tagaddum, whether united or divided, and to all who collaborated with the militia: seek refuge in distant lands and vanish entirely, for that is the fate of those who betray their people. Do not remain in the UAE, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, or similar countries, for they will hand you over to the Sudanese government whenever it serves their interests. These countries have a long history of extraditing dissidents. Therefore, flee as far as possible—farther than the distance from Earth to Saturn—and remain in complete seclusion, for the curses of Sudanese people will pursue you until the Day of Judgment.
In conclusion, the splitting of the mustard seed means nothing to the Sudanese people.
This land is ours.
