Sudan’s strongman Omar al-Bashir was swept from power in April after thirty years of autocratic rule. The country has been left with a flailing economy, political polarisation and a powerful security establishment bent on clinging on to power. Reem Abbas, activist, writer and researcher, joins Alan Boswell this week to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the post-Bashir transition. She was a contributor to our recent report, Safeguarding Sudan’s Revolution.

Episode 3: After Sudan's Revolution

President Trump hoped that minimal engagement would bring big wins in the Horn of Africa: more U.S. trade & investment and seeing off his great power competitors. In practice, multiple surprises have forced U.S. policy into a mode of serial reaction. How are these priorities and realities truly different from those of his predecessors? And how has he dealt with themes that rarely feature in his usual doctrines, issues like governance, peace and security? Judd Devermont joins Alan Boswell to discuss all this on The Horn. 

Judd Devermont is the Director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and was a senior official at the National Intelligence Council under the Obama Administration.

With thanks to our producer, Maeve Frances.

Episode 4: Trumpian Minimalism vs East African Realities

After five years of violent conflict, South Sudan’s main warring leaders, President Salva Kiir and his chief rival Riek Machar, signed a 2018 peace deal. The agreement established a ceasefire and set out a political roadmap toward elections in 2022, which included the formation of a unity government. But the peace deal is imperiled and with it the fragile ceasefire. Emmily Koiti, a civil society activist who participated in the peace talks, joins Alan this week to discuss why she thinks the main parties will fail to form a functioning unity government, the principle issues obstructing progress and why the country’s current leaders do not represent the aspirations of the South Sudanese. 

For more information, see our briefing:  Déjà Vu: Preventing Another Collapse in South Sudan. 

With special thanks to our producer, Maeve Frances.

Episode 5 : Inside South Sudan's Peace Talks

Kenya and Somalia are currently fighting a legal battle over their shared maritime border, an area rich in oil and gas. 

Somalia’s President Mohammed Abdullahi "Farmajo" is playing hardball. With national elections approaching, he has taken a more assertive stance to demonstrate the country’s strength and appeal to his support base. Kenya views itself as a powerful country in a turbulent region and doesn’t wish to be seen caving into pressure.

Rashid Abdi, Consultant and former Horn of Africa Director at Crisis Group, joins Alan this week to shed light on the deeply complex issue. They seek insights about why the dispute flared up, Ethiopia’s changing role under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and how mediation efforts have achieved some positive, modest success in de-escalating tensions. 

Special thanks to our producer, Maeve Frances.

Episode 6: Kenya and Somalia Quarrel over Offshore Oil

Alan Keenan Speaking to the BBC on Sri Lanka

How The Missile Strike On A Yemen Base Affects The Ongoing Peace Process

Tensions in the Gulf have spiked long before the pandemic. COVID-19 is likely to intensify conflicts between Gulf rivals and renders the need for de-escalation mechanisms even more necessary, particularly between the U.S. and Iran. Oil prices have collapsed and could lead to a geopolitical reset. How will the crisis play out in the Gulf? What are the prospects for a long-overdue inclusive regional dialogue? 

Recorded online event (audio online) 
Speakers: Adm. William McRaven (Ret.), Meghan O’Sullivan (TBC), Joost Hiltermann, Ali Vaez (Moderator)

This online event took place on Tuesday 5 May, 2020

Gulf Tensions In The Time Of COVID - 19 (Online Event, 5th May 2020)

The International Crisis Group is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation committed to preventing and resolving deadly conflict.