Hide

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, and the ensuing turbulence, the country remains pivotal. While governance in Sudan has long been of interest to the United States, in recent years the United States adopted a policy of engagement–rather than isolation–as it seeks to promote positive change in Sudan.

Eyes on Sudan

AfricaSource Mar 3, 2021

The unintended consequence of Ethiopia’s civil war might be a border war with Sudan

By

Ethiopia is at war with itself—and the international community is struggling to respond. The stakes in Tigray are high and the civilian toll could be considerable. But there’s another scenario, with the potential to exact an even higher toll, that many observers are overlooking: conventional war that could break out at any moment between Sudan and Ethiopia and their many allied proxies.

Africa Conflict
Eyes on Sudan

AfricaSource Dec 14, 2020

What Sudan’s terror delisting really means

By

The announcement today that the forty-five day notification period to Congress had elapsed and Sudan was finally off the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list is historic. It validates the new direction of the country, which it was set upon nearly two years ago by nationwide, peaceful street protests. More importantly, it represents a definitive break with Sudan’s troubled past—the true end of the Bashir era, which began more than thirty years ago—and holds out the hope for a more prosperous future for all Sudanese. The weight of the moment cannot be understated.
Africa Democratic Transitions
Eyes on Sudan

New Atlanticist Dec 6, 2019

Prime minister promises “Sudan will never be the same again”

By David A. Wemer

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok became the first Sudanese leader to travel to Washington, DC in more than thirty years, seeking to win more international support for his transitional government as it tries to guide Sudan towards democracy. “There is a success story that is emerging” in Sudan, Hamdok told an audience at the Atlantic Council on December 5. In a “region full of crises and riddled with conflicts, Sudan provides hope,” Hamdok declared.
Democratic Transitions Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Eyes on Sudan

Issue Brief Mar 8, 2018

Sudan: Soft power, cultural engagement, and national security

By Tim Carney and Mary Carlin Yates

The third paper in the new Atlantic Council Sudan Task Force series, “Sudan: Soft Power, Cultural Engagement, and National Security” examines the importance of people-to-people engagement and its relevance to broader US strategic aims in Sudan. More than two decades of isolation have succeeded in funneling Sudan’s best and brightest to seek higher education and […]
Africa Democratic Transitions
Eyes on Sudan

Issue Brief Mar 8, 2018

Sudan: Prospects for economic re-engagement

By Jeffrey Herbst

The second paper in the new Atlantic Council Sudan Task Force series, “Sudan: Prospects for Economic Re-engagement” examines the possibility of a new era of US economic cooperation with Sudan, including an opportunity for the United States to push for desperately needed economic reforms as part of wider US bilateral engagements efforts. Authored by Dr. […]
Africa East Africa
Eyes on Sudan

Issue Brief Mar 8, 2018

Sudan: Politics, Engagement, and Reform

By Johnnie Carson and Zach Vertin

The first paper in the new Atlantic Council Sudan Task Force series, “Sudan: Politics, Engagement, and Reform” examines the political landscape in the country in the wake of renewed bilateral engagement, addressing questions of governance, inclusion, and reform. Co-authored by Ambassador Johnnie Carson and Zach Vertin in collaboration with the Council’s Sudan Task Force, the […]
Africa Democratic Transitions

Experts

Fellow

J. Peter Pham

Distinguished Fellow

Africa Center

Politics & Diplomacy National Security

Fellow

Bronwyn Bruton

Africa

All content

AfricaSource

Jan 30, 2023

How the international community can help restore Sudan’s democracy

By Sami Abdelhalim Saeed

A number of challenges confront Sudan on its road to democracy. How the country’s leaders and the international community address them could either make or break the dreams of the 2019 revolution.

Africa Democratic Transitions

AfricaSource

Apr 11, 2022

The days of elite deals in Sudan should be over

By Cameron Hudson

It is not too late for Washington to correct the course on Sudan and help stave off another democracy-delaying elite pact.

Africa Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jan 11, 2022

The US risks losing its influence in the Horn of Africa. Here’s how to get it back.

By Gabriel Negatu

Evolving crises in Ethiopia and Sudan have exposed Washington’s lack of a clear and coherent policy for the region.

Democratic Transitions East Africa

New Atlanticist

Jan 3, 2022

Sudan’s democratic transition is over. Now it’s time to support the revolution.

By

The resignation of Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok offers new clarity: The United States should take a hard line against the military and back pro-democracy protesters.

Africa Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Oct 29, 2021

Sudan’s coup wasn’t a failure of US diplomacy. It was the dawn of a new era in Africa.

By

In a context where Washington’s voice is diluted amid competing powers vying for influence in Africa, Sudan has emerged as the ultimate battleground.

Africa Democratic Transitions

Fast Thinking

Oct 25, 2021

FAST THINKING: What’s behind the coup in Sudan?

By Atlantic Council

What’s next for Sudan and the global partners in its state-building project? Our experts weigh in.

Crisis Management Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Oct 25, 2021

Sudan’s prime minister warned of a ‘failed state’ in 2019. Now he’s under arrest.

Here’s what Abdalla Hamdok told the Atlantic Council during a 2019 visit to Washington.

Africa Civil Society

AfricaSource

Mar 3, 2021

The unintended consequence of Ethiopia’s civil war might be a border war with Sudan

By

Ethiopia is at war with itself—and the international community is struggling to respond. The stakes in Tigray are high and the civilian toll could be considerable. But there’s another scenario, with the potential to exact an even higher toll, that many observers are overlooking: conventional war that could break out at any moment between Sudan and Ethiopia and their many allied proxies.

Africa Conflict

Event Recap

Feb 10, 2021

WFP head offers readout on Horn of Africa trip

By Africa Center

On Wednesday, February 10, the Africa Center had the privilege of welcoming back Gov. David Beasley, executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), to the Atlantic Council platform for a private virtual briefing on his latest trip to the Horn of Africa, where he met with civilian and military leaders in Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

Africa Conflict

Event Recap

Feb 10, 2021

Sudan’s outgoing state minister of foreign affairs reflects on regional issues

By Africa Center

On Wednesday, February 10, the Africa Center hosted a private virtual roundtable featuring H.E. Omer Gamereldin Ismail, the outgoing Sudanese state minister of foreign affairs, for a discussion on key regional and bilateral issues for Sudan.

Africa Conflict
Load More