Lagawa citizens end 95-day strike as govt implements projects
Residents of the Lagawa locality in Sudan’s West Kordofan state called off their three-month sit-in strike on Saturday after authorities began to implement development projects, a member of the protest committee said.
For 95 days beginning 12 November, local youths occupied the Lagawa town square demanding the government provide basic services to citizens. The protestors said they would not participate in Sudan's elections scheduled for April and would annex Lagawa to South Kordofan state if their demands were not met.
Jalal Fadel El Mula, member of the protesting youths, told Radio Tamazuj that they decided to stop their demonstration after local authorities started implementing some development projects including schools and rehabilitation of healthcare centers.
He further said a committee comprised of local youth had been formed in order to supervise the completion of the projects.
Hundreds of participating residents previously said they wouldn’t call off the strike unless the government pledged to improve basic services, including drinking water, electricity, and decent road conditions.
In late January, the emir of Western Nuba Mountains Tutu Abdullah Kafi urged the protesters to call off the strike since the state government started to build dams, bridges, and water reservoirs in the locality.
Authorities attempted to stop the strike, including by threatening to transfer Lagawa teachers who supported the occupiers and preventing protest leaders from meeting with Sudan's vice president. The protestors refused to leave the square despite the threats and the teachers said they would instead resign.
Related:
Lagawa teachers threaten mass resignation over transfer order (11 Feb.)
Lagawa citizens protest against transfers of local employees (5 Feb.)
Lagawa protesters stage civil disobedience against W Kordofan govt (2 Feb.)
Western Nuba leader urges Lagawa youth to call off strike (29 Jan.)
Lagawa protesters reject governor's demand to end sit-in (18 Jan.)
Lagawa activists blocked from meeting vice-president (12 Jan.)
Sudan: Sit-in protest in Lagawa passes 50 days (30 Dec.)
Strike in Lagawa County lasts four days (16 Nov.)