In 2019, Sudanese university student Alaa Salah rose to global prominence after leading protests that contributed to the removal of President Omar al-Bashir.
At the time, she was only 22 and in her second year at Khartoum University. Her image, standing atop a vehicle and reciting revolutionary chants, became a powerful symbol widely circulated by international media.
Western governments and global news outlets celebrated her as a champion of democracy and resistance, portraying her as a young woman determined to transform her nation.
Yet six years later, Sudan is grappling with a tragic reality. After the 2019 transition, the country plunged into deep instability as rival military factions fought for power.
What had once been a moment of hope evolved into one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.
More than 15 million Sudanese have been forced to flee their homes, while over 30 million people now depend on aid for survival.
An estimated 24.6 million citizens face severe hunger, and roughly 150,000 lives were lost during the first year of conflict alone.
Communities across Sudan continue to bear the heavy burden of violence, economic collapse and widespread rights abuses.
During this period, Salah once celebrated as the sounding voice of the protests has remained largely silent.
Her absence from Sudan’s struggle has raised difficult questions among observers who now reflect on whether the 2019 uprising, heavily amplified by foreign attention, was guided by narratives that did not fully represent the country’s complex realities.
The Sudan case has become a talking point in Tanzania, where some analysts draw parallels with the current online activism of Mange Kimambi.
Operating from outside the country, Kimambi has often stated that she has nothing to lose in Tanzania, a point critics highlight when arguing that her distance allows her to encourage confrontation without facing the consequences.
According to these commentators, foreign-based activism particularly when boosted by international media can influence domestic tensions in ways that leave ordinary citizens vulnerable to instability.
The memory of October 29, 2025 remains fresh for many Tanzanians, serving as a reminder of how quickly online mobilisation and misinformation can escalate into national unease.
For civic actors and governance experts, the lesson from Sudan is clear: countries risk deep turmoil when external voices overshadow local realities and when change is pursued without careful consideration of long-term stability.
As Tanzania continues to strengthen its democratic processes and social cohesion, analysts urge the public to remain vigilant and thoughtful.
The Sudan experience underlines the importance of safeguarding peace and resisting narratives that prioritise external agendas over national unity.
It is a call for responsible engagement, measured reflection and collective commitment to the country’s future.
