Ethnic Cleansing in Sudan's Darfur Region

 Politico published on 11 November 2023 an article titled "UN Sounds Alarm on Darfur, Warns World Not to Repeat History" by Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing.  

The UN Refugee Agency is "gravely concerned" about ethnic cleansing underway in Sudan's Darfur region by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and fears there could be a repeat of the genocide that occurred early this century.  

Sudan's Window of Opportunity

Foreign Policy posted on 20 March 2020 a commentary titled "Sudan Has a Window of Opportunity. The West Shouldn't Squander It" by Kenneth Roth, Human Rights Watch.

Civilian leaders in Sudan face a dire economy and recalcitrant security forces as their window of opportunity for a democratic transition narrows. The author argues that the West should give a high priority to helping the civilian leadership succeed.

Georgetown Student Becomes Sudan's Justice Minister

The Washington Post Magazine published on 9 February 2020 a story titled "The Georgetown Student Who Became Justice Minister of Sudan" by Rebecca Hamilton.

Nasredeen Abdulbari was working on his PhD dissertation at Georgetown University when he received a text message from a civil society leader in Khartoum asking him to call urgently. He made the call and learned that he had been nominated to become the new minister of justice. A month later, he returned to Khartoum to assume the position. This story recounts what has happened subsequently.

Safeguarding Sudan's Revolution

The International Crisis Group pubished on 21 October 2019 a report titled "Safeguarding Sudan's Revolution."

The report argues that for all of the challenges facing Sudan today, there are reasons for hope. There is also much to do on the economic front. Rescuing Sudan's anaemic economy will require broad international support through a major multilateral donor initiative.

What To Do About Sudan

African Arguments published on 24 September 2019 a commentary titled "From Sledgehammers to Scalpel: How Foreign Powers Can Support Sudan" by John Prendergast, founding director of the Enough Project.

The author rightly calls for targeted sanctions on spoilers who attempt to undermine the transition to civilian rule in Sudan. But he also urges that Sudan remain on the US state sponsors of terrorism list until there is fiscal transparency and the resolution of multiple conflicts in Sudan. This is not the purpose of being on the state sponsors of terrorism list; it is the wrong tool for dealing with these problems. In spite of its numerous other faults, Sudan has cooperated for many years with the United States in combatting terrorism.

Sudan: Can the Revolution Succeed?

Foreign Policy posted on 9 September 2019 a commentary titled "How to Make Sudan's Revolution Succeed" by Yasir Zaidan, National University of Sudan.

The author argues that if the military ultimately dismisses the political coalition with civilian organizations and tries to rule the nation alone, Sudan could return to the repression and corruption that haunted it for 30 years.

A Season of Hope in Sudan

The New York Times published on 22 August 2019 a commentary titled "A Season of Hope in Sudan" by Jamal Mahjoub, author.

The author argues that young Sudanese have an opportunity to seize the moment and transform the country.

Sudan: Role of Foreign Powers

World Politics Review published on 6 August 2019 an analysis titled "From the Gulf to Egypt, Foreign Powers Are Playing with Fire in Sudan" by Richard Downie, Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The author concludes that foreign powers should recognize that their attempts to promote a stable future in Sudan could instead help tip the country into civil war.

How Long Will Gulf States Support Sudan Financially?

African Arguments posted on 1 August 2019 a commentary titled "Cash and Contradictions: On the Limits of Middle Eastern Influence in Sudan" by Alex de Waal.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates continue to support Sudan's Transitional Military Council financially but the amounts required could exceed their willingness to continue the funding.

Sudan's Uncertain Transition

The Congressional Research Service published on 17 July 2019 a report titled "Sudan's Uncertain Transition."

The report suggests that Sudan could end up as the latest example of the Arab spring or become a failed transition that leads to civil war or state collapse.

Sudan: Power Shifts to Darfur?

Foreign Policy published on 9 July 2019 a commentary titled "How Darfur Became Sudan's Kingmaker" by Jerome Tubiana.

The Bashir regime may be gone, but its legacy of a Sudanese society fractured by strong political and tribal divides persists. The author concludes that Sudan may be in need of two transitions: one from military to civilian rule and another from a centralized to a truly national state.

Sudan's New Dictator

Foreign Policy published on 2 July 2019 a commentary titled "From Camel Herder to Dictator" by Alex de Waal, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

General Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, known as Hemeti and who first saw combat in Sudan's infamous Janjaweed, is commander of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces and deputy chairman of the Transitional Military Council (TMC). The author argues that he is the most powerful man in Sudan today. The struggle in Khartoum is not just between the military and the protest movement. It is also about control of the country from the historic center of power on the Nile River or by the people of the vast and underprivileged peripheries.