Alex de Waal

4 weeks ago | usnews.com | Meaghan Mobbs |Mallory Sailer |Alex de Waal |J. Brian Atwood

The world witnessed a dramatic moment in Sudan’s civil war last week when the Sudanese army recaptured the presidential palace in the capital of Khartoum from the rebel Rapid Support Forces, known as the RSF. It is unclear if the Sudanese Armed Forces, known as the SAF, have enough momentum to defeat the RSF or if this will end divided rule, but the development brought needed attention to this largely overlooked war.

Jan 15, 2025 | usnews.com | Alex de Waal |Dennis Ross

There’s genocide in Sudan. Again. Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, known as the RSF, have committed genocide and placed sanctions on its leader, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemedti.” The reaction of long-suffering Sudanese: It’s about time. Since April 2023, Sudan has been plunged into a devastating war between the paramilitary RSF and Sudan’s regular armed forces, headed by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan.

Jan 14, 2025 | africanarguments.org | Boniface Mwangi |Alex de Waal

My grandmother Wangechi was a star. Stout, strong, and weather-beaten from tilling the land for days on end, we revered, feared, and loved her in equal measure. She was born when Kenya was a colonial state and married during the struggle for freedom, her role in which is a story for another day. My siblings and I, and even our friends, thought my grandmother was all-knowing and could read the weather. No matter how hot it was, she would always drink hot tea.

Sep 10, 2024 | thinkglobalhealth.org | Alex de Waal |Jeremy Konyndyk

The Gaza Strip has descended into a health catastrophe with frightening and long-lasting implications.  The newest calamity is polio. Last month, a 10-month-old baby became the first confirmed case of polio in 25 years. Doctors say the child is paralyzed by the disease. Prior to that case, the World Health Organization (WHO) had appealed for a pause in fighting to allow an emergency vaccination program after earlier detecting evidence of polio transmission through wastewater surveillance.

Sep 10, 2024 | worldpeacefoundation.org | Bridget Conley |Alex de Waal

Dive into our new podcast, Disrupting Peace, where we challenge conventional wisdom and explore bold new perspectives. Hosted by myself, Bridget Conley, the first season kicks off on September 24 and will be available wherever you listen to podcasts, including on our website for a seamless online experience. Tune in each week for six weeks of exciting episodes, and catch a glimpse of what’s to come with our available trailer.