WASHINGTON – An image from last year’s popular uprising in Sudan has won the prestigious World Press Photo of the Year Award.
The photo, titled “Straight Voice”, was taken by AFP photographer Yasuyoshi Chiba.
It shows a demonstrator reciting protest poetry, while a crowd of fellow protesters illuminate him with the light from their phones.
Judges said Chiba’s “poetic” photo showed the power of youth and art.
Longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir was overthrown last April, leading to a violent struggle between the military and the pro-democracy movement.
Discussing the image, Chiba said: “This moment was the only peaceful group protest I encountered during my stay. I felt their undefeated solidarity like burning embers that remain to flare up again.”
Jury chair Lekgetho Makola said that despite being taken during a time of conflict, the photo “inspires people”.
“We see this young person, who is not shooting, who is not throwing a stone, but reciting a poem,” he said. “It’s acknowledging, but also voicing a sense of hope.”
Five other photos were nominated as finalists in the contest. (BBC)
