A revolutionary icon: meeting with the Sudanese activist whose image went viral

In the past two years, the world has seen the African nation of Sudan begin its journey towards democracy. Yet the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy has inevitably encountered difficulties for many in the country, especially women’s activists, for fear that progress has been far too slow. In April 2019, Alaa Salah shot to internet fame after images of her main protest chants against then-President Omar al-Bashir went viral. The young structural engineer student was called ‘The Nubian Queen’ at the time.

Now a committed human rights activist, Alaa Salah speaks to Annette Young about her frustrations at the lack of progress in empowering women in the African nation.