Statement by the Women’s Cooperatives Union of Food and Beverage Vendors in Khartoum

As representatives of women laborers and street vendors working in the food and beverage sector in the city of Khartoum, we convey our deepest sympathy and sorrow for all those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom and justice for all Sudanese during the violent and merciless confrontations instigated by the military on the morning of June 3rd 2019.

We, as a union strongly condemn the oppression, damage, humiliation and aggression that our members have been subjected to as tea, food and beverage vendors on the fateful June 3rd day. More than five thousand female vendors were victimized by the actions of the military & Janjaweed forces that actively perpetrated abuse and sexual violence, as well as theft and deliberate property damage against women vendors. The damages caused have had significant influence on the economic livelihood   of the women vendors as their business apparatus was destroyed strategically as means of economic dis-empowerment. Some of the materials which were damaged or stolen include: money, mobile phones – and work utensils ranging from kettles, cups, stoves, and seating stools for customers. (The total loss is estimated at about 1 billion Sudanese Pounds).

As of June 3rd, 6 women vendors have disappeared from the Sit-in area and cannot be located. However sadly and in a heart-breaking turn of events that occurred on June 3rd, our sister’s body was found afloat in the River Nile as part of those who were killed and thrown into the river. The other 5 missing women vendors are yet to be located.  Furthermore, some women lost their sons and daughters and, many women were beaten up and sexually assaulted resulting in serious physical injuries and psychological trauma. Reports have also emerged of the children of women vendors being attacked by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), some of whom were attempting to aid their mothers at work or defend them against the abuse. 

United in our front and cognizant of the integral role that women like us working in marginal sectors of the economy, play in the daily lives of much of Sudan’s population standing in sharp contrast to the precariousness of our own lives, we relay the following messages to the international community and the public at large: 

1. We strongly condemn the murders, abuses, looting and pillaging of women that took place at the Sit-in as Sudanese’s citizens, and women vendors earning a living in legitimate way. The violence which female street vendors have been subjected to is undeniably criminal as well brutal  and therefore demand justice and reparations for the losses incurred and subsequent trauma experienced based, on our rights as female workers articulated in justice .

2. We stress that what happened to women and girls as tea and food sellers on June 3rd is thematic of the recurring abuse which led to the formation of the women’s union. As a union, we are aware of this threat to our livelihoods occurring as a result of the leadership within the Bashir administration – a regime that has not relented in its hostility towards women vendors for the past 30 years.

3. We remain persistent in our fight against the contempt and disrespect shown towards the women, girls and children working in marginal jobs in the exchange of both expensive and inexpensive goods. The violent attacks on female vendors who have worked hard to operate business legally under suppressive and informal laws and those who have even when impoverished, sacrificed and donated to the revolutionary cause for the betterment of our state, can no longer be forgiven.

The Women’s Cooperatives Union  
Khartoum – Al Soug Alshabie