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

Apr 25, 2016

Pham Quoted by Quartz Africa on South Sudan’s Delayed Peace Process

By
Peter Pham

Read the full article here.

East Africa
Sudan

In the News

Apr 22, 2016

Pham Quoted by Mail & Guardian Africa on South Sudan’s Peace Process

By
Peter Pham

Read the full article here.

East Africa
Sudan


New Atlanticist

Mar 30, 2016

South Sudan: ‘A Problem Child’

By
Ashish Kumar Sen

Years of conflict, a dysfunctional government, and the international community’s failure to impose tough and meaningful sanctions have contributed to the crippling food insecurity that has caused tens of thousands of people to flee South Sudan, according to the Atlantic Council’s J. Peter Pham. “No rational farmer anywhere in the world is going to plant […]

East Africa
Sudan

In the News

Feb 23, 2016

Pham Quoted by US News on US Involvement in Sudan and South Sudan

By
J. Peter Pham

Read the full article here.

East Africa
Sudan

In the News

Feb 2, 2016

Pham Quoted by Sudan Vision Daily on US-Sudan Sanctions

By
J. Peter Pham

Read the full article here.

Sudan

In the News

Jan 7, 2016

Pham on Iran’s Waning Influence in Sub-Saharan Africa

By
J. Peter Pham

International Business Times quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on how increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran are affecting their foreign influence in sub-Saharan Africa:

Iran
Sudan

In the News

Dec 28, 2015

Pham on US-Sudanese Relations

By
J. Peter Pham

Sudan Vision quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on how US-Sudanese relations could be improved in 2016 through lifting US sanctions on Sudan:

Sudan

In the News

Dec 22, 2015

Pham on Islamist Threats in Africa

By
J. Peter Pham

Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham joins Secure Freedom Radio to discuss Islamist threats in Africa, the new Chinese military base in Djibouti, and changes in Sudan:  Listen to the full interview here.

Sudan

In the News

Dec 16, 2015

Pham: Time to Revisit America’s Sanctions on Sudan

By
J. Peter Pham

Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham writes for The Hill on the United States’ sanctions against Sudan falling on the vulnerable citizens of the nation instead of the country’s real decision makers: 

Sudan


Event Recap

Sep 3, 2015

Roundtable with Sudan’s National Assembly Speaker

By
Africa Center

On Thursday, September 3, the Africa Center hosted a luncheon roundtable with H.E. Ibrahim Ahmed Omer, Sudan’s National Assembly Speaker. Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham gave a welcome and introduction, noting that the visit by the Speaker and those accompanying him—the highest-level Sudanese government delegation to come to Washington in a number of years—comes […]

Sudan