In the heart of Sudan, where the banks of the Nile meet the dreams of its youth, the crisis of unemployment emerges not merely as an economic phenomenon, but as an existential dilemma that threatens the very meaning of life. Here, in a country whose edges have been eroded by wars and divisions, and whose economic pulse faded with the secession of the South and the loss of oil revenues, the youth — who form the vast majority of the population — stand on the brink of a deep abyss. In this abyss, the echo of a haunting question resounds: What is the purpose of remaining in a homeland that offers nothing but waiting?
From Villages to Cities: The Migration of Meaning and the Loss of Roots
Migration from the villages to the cities was not merely a physical relocation; it was a migration of meaning and a severance of roots. The villages, once cradles of agriculture and herding, lost their luster in the face of unbalanced economic policies that neglected productive sectors and produced generations of university graduates with no prospects. Nothing now ties the Sudanese youth to their villages but memories, so they flocked to the major cities, driven by the hope of finding work worthy of their education — or at least, a life with greater mercy.
Yet the Sudanese cities, already burdened by weak infrastructure and scarce resources, became nothing more than further stations of waiting. The streets grew crowded with suspended dreams, and the search for employment turned into a daily struggle for survival, as unemployment became a sword hanging over everyone’s necks, threatening both social and psychological stability.
The Great Migration: The Adventure of Life on the Edge of Death
As the cities grew tighter, the boundaries of hope expanded. Sudanese youth began packing their bags, not in pursuit of luxury, but fleeing a reality that grew ever harsher. At first, migration was legal, to neighboring countries, but soon it became a perilous adventure across deserts and seas, in search of refuge in Europe or any land that might offer them a new chance. This migration of despair was not merely a geographical shift — it was, at its core, an existential cry: “We want to live.”
Between the Hammer of Unemployment and the Anvil of an Oppressive Regime
Those who remained found themselves prisoners of an even harsher reality. An authoritarian regime, nourished by corruption, exploited the suffering of the youth — either by recruiting them into its senseless wars or by drowning them in a swamp of despair. Here, the Sudanese youth faced two choices: to die slowly while waiting for deliverance, or to rebel against their reality and seek a new meaning for their existence.
The Peaceful Revolution: From Despair to Hope
Herein lies the great philosophical paradox: from the womb of despair, the spark of hope was born. Sudanese youth did not choose the path of violence, despite all the temptations and bloody lessons in the region. Instead, they chose peaceful revolution, carrying on their shoulders the legacy of previous uprisings in 1964 and 1985, when they toppled military regimes with bare chests and unbreakable resolve.
The revolution erupted, filling the streets with chants for freedom and dignity. It was not merely a revolt against a political regime, but a rebellion against the very philosophy of oppression, against the notion that a human being is nothing more than a number in the equation of power. The youth succeeded in toppling the regime and rewriting a part of their history, but as they looked ahead, they realized that the road to true freedom was still long.
Post-Revolution Challenges: The Burden of Legacy and the Struggle of Interests
The fall of the regime was a pivotal moment, but not the end of the journey. The dictatorship left behind a heavy legacy of corruption and division, a collapsed economy, and militias hungry for power. The internal and external forces that benefited from the chaos were not about to allow an easy transition to democracy. Thus, the youth found themselves facing an even more complex challenge: how to build a civil, democratic state amid these ruins?
The Reproduction of Dictatorship: The Closed Circle of Despair
Amid this chaos, the crisis was renewed, and a new dictatorial regime surfaced, no less brutal than its predecessor. It was as if Sudan were doomed to spin in a vicious circle of aborted hope and stolen revolutions. Yet, the flame of hope did not die. Every harsh experience, every martyr’s soul, continues to remind new generations that the struggle for freedom does not end with the fall of a tyrant, but begins at that very moment.
Awaiting Action: The Responsibility of the International Community
Despite significant moral support from the international community, words alone do not bring about change. Sudanese youth need practical support — investments that create real job opportunities and give them the incentive to continue their peaceful struggle. Democracy is not built by applause from afar, but by joint action and a genuine belief from the world that Sudan’s stability is integral to the stability of the region and the world.
Conclusion: The Philosophy of Hope in the Face of Absurdity
Thus, Sudanese youth today stand at an existential crossroads — between a past laden with wounds, a present brimming with challenges, and a future whose features remain obscure. Yet, despite everything, they continue to dream and insist on having a hand in shaping their destiny. Perhaps hope is the only philosophy capable of confronting the absurdity of reality, and of transforming the ticking time bomb into a force for change and construction.