In Mourning (Shambat Bridge)
Mohamed Abdelmajid
These are the natural results of wars; what do you expect? Nothing but destruction and devastation can be the outcome of the war advocated by the remnants of the ousted regime, igniting its flames.
What is the use of victories if they result in the ruins of the Jili Refinery and Shambat Bridge? Human atrocities were not enough for them; they turned to the destruction of the countrys wealth. We endured for thirty years to establish the Sports City, which has now turned into a military camp for the Rapid Support Forces instead of being a sports camp for the people of Sudan.
The Dabasin Bridge construction began in 2003, and it remains mere concrete pillars, contracting companies, stray cats, and dogs. The new airport is just maps, a foundation stone, real estate offices, and land brokers for over ten years. Just a dream on paper.
In July 2015, this news came out: "The Sudanese Cabinet, in its regular session chaired by President Omar al-Bashir, approved the agreement for the construction of the new Khartoum Airport, signed between the Ministry of Finance and the Chinese Export and Import Bank, with a loan of 665 million to be repaid over 20 years. The Sudanese government had signed, in June 2013, an agreement to implement the project of the new Khartoum International Airport, covering an area of 103 million square meters, as one of the major strategic projects, funded and executed by China at a cost of 700 million. The Secretary-General of the Cabinet, Omar Mohamed Saleh, announced in a press statement the Cabinets approval of a 68 million loan to be repaid over 20 years, related to water projects funded by the Kuwaiti Bank." I fear that we are still repaying a loan for an airport that was never built.
Shambat Bridge was destroyed in just 40 seconds. This is how creative we are in destruction, always in haste to ruin.
The Youth and Childrens Palace, established in 1977, was a gift from North Korea to train and rehabilitate young people and children in various activities. The Friendship Hall was a gift from the Chinese government to the Sudanese government and people in the 1970s. The new presidential palace was built with a Chinese grant off the Blue Nile, in the heart of Khartoum, and was inaugurated in 2015.
The University of Khartoum, formerly known as Gordon Memorial College, was established in 1902 by Lord Kitchener during the British colonial period in Sudan to commemorate Lord Gordon. Its name changed to the University of Khartoum after Sudan gained independence on January 1, 1956. The Blue Nile Bridge was opened in 1910, and the White Nile Bridge was opened in 1928, according to some accounts.
"O Nile, the stream of paradises, how are you now as you witness your bridge being destroyed in the presence of its waves that used to dance joyfully for the connection created by the bridge between Omdurman and Khartoum Bahri. Condolences to the Shambat Bridge, the Mamar Bridge, and the Fatahab Bridge in their tragic loss."
The destruction of Shambat Bridge, which witnessed our journeys, stirred in us the sorrow of bridges, and between us and it, there were ten days. Bridges have their own grief, and we used to comment on pictures of its destruction with "we dont believe you." While looking at it, we would express our gratitude and justify our love for its captivating beauty, "how can I not love your beauty?" It was our "spring of life," as it created the "green path" from and to Omdurman and Khartoum.
The "Friday in Shambat" has become impossible after the destruction of Shambat Bridge. We will settle for "In Shambat, our council is respected... modesty and chastity are our guardians." Those who commit such crimes have no shame or decency. Both the army and the Rapid Support Forces denied their crime. Neither of them took responsibility for the destruction of Shambat Bridge.
Shambat, guarded by modesty and chastity, now has no guardian against bombardment, violations, and crimes. The prime suspect in the destruction of Manshiya Bridge is the remnants of the ousted regime, as the destruction of the bridge was a wish and goal for these remnants who sang for its destruction, and their wish has been fulfilled.
The war on Gaza by Israel is devoid of such violations that consist of destroying the countrys resources after they had been looted for thirty years. In Khartoum, the Rapid Support Forces occupied hospitals, and in the states, the police and the army expelled the displaced from schools through excessive force and tear gas. This is what the citizen and the Sudanese people find from the government forces that should guard them and provide security and safety. In Khartoum, they are evicted from their homes, and in the states, they are expelled from schools.
Shambat Bridge, built and opened in 1966 after the October Revolution, the worst thing that could happen to it after the glorious December revolution is that it could be closed with containers. Security authorities considered it a violation by protesters and citizens, an endorsement for the regime. Now they are destroying the bridge with their own hands to protect their power and chairs. Where are those who used to guard the bridges with containers?
The harshest thing that could happen to Shambat Bridge was its closure. Now the bridge is being shelled, and its front is separated from its rear. The destruction of Shambat Bridge revealed the remnants of the ousted regime and exposed their truth. I wish people understand that the remnants care nothing about the country, and they are willing to sacrifice the nation for the sake of their seats.
This war that released the remnants from prisons, they think it will be a gain for them. They believe they can return to power through this war.
A military source, with the rank of a brigadier, in military intelligence told Sudan Tawaded that the security measures that prohibit the movement of citizens after ten oclock in the evening in Port Sudan are not measures based on a state of emergency or the like. They are directives from military intelligence leaders to facilitate the movements of the leaders of the Islamic Movement and the dissolved National Congress Party during the evening periods because meetings are held from ten in the evening until five in the morning.
The remnants move like bats. Their lives now and their movements (at night) confirm their role in the war and its continuity. But the current situation of the remnants is not better than when they were in prisons, moving only in darkness and secrecy.
Its over!
Abu Ibrahim
