Time magazine included Sudanese activist Duaa Tariq in its list under the category 2023 TIME100 Next: the Emerging Leaders Shaping the World.
Sudan experienced a remarkable transformation in 2019 when its people peacefully overthrew a military dictatorship that had ruled the country for three decades.
This peaceful and leaderless revolution was a rare phenomenon as the movement was guided by a coalition of professionals and grassroots activists, including Duaa Tariq.
She played a crucial role in organizing protests as part of a neighbourhood resistance committee and, as a founder of the socially-conscious art group ColorSudan, helped chart a path forward for the country.
However, in 2021, the military staged a coup and regained control of the government. This year, the capital city of Khartoum in Sudan has become a battleground.
In response to these challenges, ColorSudan took to the streets with anti-war graffiti and organized drawing sessions to help children cope with the trauma of conflict.
These efforts originated from emergency response initiatives that aim to keep the partially disrupted capital city functioning and the spirit of the movement alive.
During the day, local volunteers distribute what Tariq describes as “decolonized and localized aid.” At night, she joins young activists who move through the neighbourhood, reassuring the community with chants like, “You’re safe. Don’t be scared. Even when it gets dark and ugly, we are here around you.”