The Face of Truth: Pliers and a Screwdriver, the Other Face of Sudan’s War
Ibrahim Shiglawi
As I have told you before, Sudanese people are fascinated by new things, always seeking surprise and the hidden ideas behind meanings and lines. They track events, news, and secrets with an intelligence that others envy. It seems that someone has discovered these qualities and started presenting Sudan’s Sovereignty Council chairman and army commander, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in a creative public framework that wins him new spaces in people’s hearts daily, in the style of “easy but profound.” Of course, this feature is only apparent to media professionals, stemming from their specialized knowledge in crafting the image of leaders. These gradual and smart steps play a big role in shaping leaders, whether military, political, or social, by tying their actions and speeches to public sentiment and mood. This is a stage of media content creation that strives to inspire figures whose words and actions captivate people, making them trending topics.
Anyone following the events can see that there is an impressive effort to build the image of President al-Burhan in a way that is both appealing and influential. This is a significant part of Sudan’s battle against the rebellion, for war is not only about military confrontations in battlefields but also involves a different kind of warfare, using various tools to achieve victory. If you trace back to President al-Burhan’s speech before the war, when he talked about how they are preserving the country from descending into chaos and how their efforts require patience and wisdom, he said, “We are working slowly, like drilling with a needle.” At that time, people laughed a lot, and his statement became a trend. The needle came to symbolize the careful handling of the rapidly changing events, signifying wisdom and a reluctance to rush results.
Then the war broke out in mid-April last year after the failed coup by the Rapid Support Forces, backed by some regional and international powers who sought to shape Sudan according to their interests, along with local opportunists from certain political parties. Despite the efforts made to avoid the outbreak of war, the outcome was clear to everyone. Hence, the state leadership, including the military in the Sovereignty Council and the army’s general staff, did their best to prevent it. Commander Arko Minawi even mentioned that the rebel leader had become isolated in his decision-making and was controlling the country.
Returning to the main topic, when President al-Burhan emerged from the siege of military headquarters, the heroic operation by the special forces and military intelligence that rescued him was admired by the Sudanese people, offering hope for the state’s survival and the army’s control. Hence, al-Burhan’s message, crafted by those shaping his public image, was brilliantly conveyed when he was seen enjoying a cup of tea and some fried dough (zalabiya) among the people, symbolizing the unity of the Sudanese people around their leadership. This image, which became a trend after activists on social media challenged the rebel leader to produce a similar image, was also tied to the rumors of his death early in the war—rumors that have yet to be confirmed or denied by any reliable source.
In that scene, al-Burhan appeared relaxed, in control, and grateful to the forces that had skillfully extracted him. It was the first image of the state transitioning from siege to restored control, and the world understood the unexpected message. Those working to keep the president under siege were taken by surprise. This plan, devised by the political supporters of the rebellion, sought to reinstall Hamdok as the country’s head, claiming legitimacy from the street, as he was the last to lead a civilian government, supposedly to “save the country from chaos and collapse” in the aftermath of the coup.
But just as the rebels were plotting, there were also national forces with plans of their own, operating with wisdom and expertise, not like the activists. This is the expertise of the Sudanese people who take pride in their land. You may also recall that before al-Burhan left military headquarters, he appeared at a general staff meeting fully armed in a complete military outfit. Addressing the attendees, he said, “The people of Al-Shajara salute you,” referring to the location where the army’s armored units bravely stationed themselves. People quickly picked up on this phrase, turning it into another trend, comparing it to the rebel leader’s claim that he was speaking to the media from “Al-Shajara.”
This reflects the stark difference between the smart media machine crafting the content that presents the army leader and makes his words trend, versus the false media employed by the rebellion. Events have continued in this vein, with al-Burhan making further impactful appearances. After the liberation of the radio station, al-Burhan visited the Corps of Engineers, addressing the generals and sharing his views on operations management and field tactics. He told them, “You’re doing great, but the problem is they are not crimping them.” People quickly latched onto this statement, turning it into a topic of conversation that added another trend to the mix.
Yesterday, al-Burhan made yet another striking appearance, this time on the parade ground while inspecting the troops. He made a brief statement: “We have no more words, just pliers and a screwdriver.” He then gestured with both hands, indicating a firm grip. This local expression means encircling the rebellion from all sides, possibly alluding to an intense barrage of fire leaving the rebels no room to breathe. This scene, resembling a drama, was not the result of coincidence but of a skilled media effort that understands how to win the moral side of the war with ideas that resonate with the masses. Social media has become a central tool in this media campaign, mobilizing national electronic brigades to boost the morale of soldiers, celebrate leadership victories, and present them in a way that appeals to people’s emotions.
Thus, the media becomes a powerful tool in influencing the direction of battles. However, it is important to recognize the truth and understand that this effort cannot be separated from the media’s role in building peace, promoting security, and fostering dialogue and peaceful coexistence. We have always called for the rebel forces to honor the Jeddah Agreement, signed on May 11 last year, regarding security and humanitarian arrangements to end the bloodshed and restore peace and security in Sudan, leading to a referendum on governance.
Stay well and in good health.
Monday, September 30, 2024
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