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

Event Recap

Aug 25, 2020

Sudanese armed movement leaders offer differing assessments of the peace process

By Africa Center

On Tuesday, August 25, the Africa Center hosted a panel discussion on the status of and challenges to the peace process in Sudan. The panel featured General Abdelaziz al-Hilu, Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N); Dr. Gibril Ibrahim, Chairman of the Justice and Equality Movement; Dr. Elshafie Khidir, Sudanese political advisor and commentator; and Dr. Annette Weber, Senior Fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

Africa Conflict

In the News

Aug 20, 2020

Hudson quoted in the Middle East Eye on motivations for Sudan to normalize its relations with Israel

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions

In the News

Aug 19, 2020

Hudson quoted in the Hill on efforts by families of 9/11 victims to block Sudan’s delisting as a State Sponsor of Terrorism

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions

In the News

Aug 14, 2020

Hudson quoted in Voice of America on the pending settlement over Sudan’s role in the 1998 embassy bombings

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions

In the News

Jul 30, 2020

Hudson quoted in the New York Times on continued violence in Darfur following the Sudanese revolution

By Atlantic Council

Africa Conflict

In the News

Jul 22, 2020

Hudson quoted in Foreign Policy on the politics behind leadership selection for the new United Nations mission to Sudan

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions

In the News

Jul 17, 2020

Hudson quoted in the Middle East Eye on Sudan’s recent human rights reforms

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions

In the News

Jul 15, 2020

Hudson joins the BBC to discuss the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam dispute

By Atlantic Council

Africa Energy & Environment

In the News

Jul 2, 2020

Hudson quoted in African Business on the outcomes of the Sudan Partner’s Forum

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions

AfricaSource

Jun 26, 2020

The Sudan Partnership Conference: A turning point for Sudan?

The world came to Berlin yesterday (at least virtually) as part of a United Nations, European Union, and German government-sponsored “Partners Forum for Sudan.” By all accounts, it was a triumph, and potentially a turning point, for the fragile transitional civilian government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, pulling in an announced $1.8 billion in assistance to Sudan.

Africa Democratic Transitions