On Sunday, January 26, protesters gathered at Square Phillips in downtown Montreal to raise awareness about Sudan’s worsening humanitarian crisis. Organized by the Sudanese Canadian Association of Quebec, the hour-long demonstration featured signs reading "Eyes on Sudan" and "Say No to War." Despite the small turnout, the group, which meets every two weeks, stressed the urgency of the situation, calling on both the public and the provincial government to take immediate action.

Since April 2023, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) have been at war. The conflict is deeply tied to resource extraction and imperial relations, with countries like the United Arab Emirates and the United States playing counter-revolutionary roles. As a result, Sudanese people are facing multiple humanitarian crises, including famine, the collapse of the healthcare system, sexual violence, communal tensions, epidemics, and mass displacement. More than 10 million people, possibly up to 15 million, have been displaced, while 24 million face acute food insecurity, making Sudan the world’s largest hunger crisis. As highlighted by Secretary General of the organization, Mayada Ageeb, 30.4 million people in Sudan require humanitarian aid.

Organizers also emphasized the importance of making their voices heard in Montreal, which has a large Sudanese community. They aim to unite their voices to pressure the government to act and to ensure that Sudan remains on the public and political agenda. Many also raised concerns about the barriers facing Sudanese newcomers, who, despite fleeing the crisis, are currently unable to enter Quebec. Family members residing in Montreal are advocating for the provincial government to change this policy and allow their loved ones to seek safety in Canada.

Passersby stopped to engage with demonstrators, learning more about the crisis and the lack of global attention. Local 514 interviewed members of the Sudanese Canadian Association of Quebec and protesters about their reasons for attending and their calls for action. Organizers urged continued public awareness and solidarity, questioning the silence from world leaders. “Why so much silence and so little action?” Ageeb emphasized, stressing the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.