About the project

The third largest country in Africa, Sudan sits at the intersection–both geographically and culturally–of the Arab and African worlds and, as such, exerts great influence in a turbulent region. In the wake of longtime president Omar al-Bashir’s removal from power in April 2019 by a democratic revolution, and the ensuing turbulence, the country remains pivotal. In a region where numerous global and regional powers have sought to be influential, in recent years the United States has adopted a policy of engagement–rather than isolation–as it seeks to promote positive change in Sudan.

The Atlantic Council is engaged in a longstanding effort to raise the profile of Sudan. For nearly 10 years, via a Sudan Task Force, the Africa Center has focused its work with the goal of acknowledging Sudan’s geo-strategic importance. This work includes visits to the country, research reports by our experts, hosting Sudanese voices at the Council, and providing recommendations for policy makers in Washington and beyond.

See the work of the Sudan Task Force here:

Voices of Sudan

Ambassador Mohamed Abdalla Idris Mohamed in conversation with Amb. Rama Yade
Hajooj Kuka, Founder of Refugee Club and the Director of Beats of the Antonov, in conversation with Amb. Rama Yade
Mohamed Abubakr, President of The African Middle Eastern Leadership Project (AMEL), in conversation with Amb. Rama Yade

Featured events

Featured commentary & analysis

Featured reports & research

All content

In the News

Aug 13, 2015

Pham on Sanctions Harming Cancer Patients in Sudan

By
J. Peter Pham

Daily Nation quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on how sanctions imposed by the United States on Sudan are costing civilian lives and hurting vulnerable groups:

Sudan

In the News

Jul 6, 2015

Pham on Sudanese Sanctions

By
J. Peter Pham

Sudan Vision Daily quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on the impact of US economic sanctions in Sudan:

Sudan

In the News

Jun 19, 2015

Pham on the Sudanese President Fleeing South Africa

By
J. Peter Pham

International Business Times quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on reports that South African President Jacob Zuma helped Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir flee South Africa to avoid outstanding charges brought by the International Criminal Court:

Sudan

In the News

Jun 16, 2015

Pham on Bashir’s Visit to South Africa

By
J. Peter Pham

Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham joins CNN to discuss Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s visit to South Africa and the tensions between the International Criminal Court and the African Union:

South Africa
Sudan

In the News

Jun 10, 2015

Pham on South Sudan Conflict

By
J. Peter Pham

The World Politics Review quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on why despite the current stalemate between the government and rebel groups, only the rainy season is slowing fighting in South Sudan:

East Africa
Sudan

In the News

May 28, 2015

Pham: The Human Cost of America’s Not-So-Smart Sudan Sanctions

By
J. Peter Pham

Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham writes for the Huffington Post on how US sanctions are harming the Sudanese people:

Sudan


AfricaSource

May 4, 2015

Nile Accord Opens Opportunity

By
J. Peter Pham

Amid the attention recently focused on the Nigerian presidential election and the resulting democratic transition in Africa’s most populous country as well as on the brutal al-Shabaab terrorist attack on Kenya’s Garissa University College, an equally momentous event that took place at roughly the same time passed relatively unremarked. On March 23, the leaders of […]

Ethiopia
North Africa


Event Recap

Apr 16, 2015

Status of Sudan Debt Relief Process

By
Africa Center

The issue of debt relief has for years been a point of contention in Sudan’s relationship with much of the international community, including at times with South Sudan. But its fair and timely resolution would do much to advance the United States’ stated goal of normalizing relations with Sudan.

Sudan


Event Recap

Mar 17, 2015

The State of Human Rights and Democracy in Sudan: A Conversation with Deputy Assistant Secretary Steven Feldstein

By
Africa Center

In his remarks in October at the Atlantic Council, US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth affirmed the US government’s willingness to engage with Khartoum in talks, effectively extending an olive branch to the Sudanese government. Still, obstacles to improved US-Sudan relations remain, including a stalled national dialogue process; continuing conflict in […]

Africa
Sudan


AfricaSource

Oct 21, 2014

Four Questions with US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth

By
Africa Center

US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth discusses recent political developments in Sudan and South Sudan, and articulates US policy toward both countries. 

Africa
East Africa