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Papers by Alex de Waal

This book tells the story of the Sudanese revolution of 2019; of how it succeeded in bringing dow... more This book tells the story of the Sudanese revolution of 2019; of how it succeeded in bringing down the long-standing rule of President Omar al-Bashir; and of the troubled transitional civilian-led government that was installed in his place. It sets the scrupulously non-violent uprising in its historical context, showing how the protesters drew upon the precedents of earlier civic revolutions and adapted their practices to the challenges of the al-Bashir regime. The book also explores how that regime was brought to its knees through its inability to manage the intersecting economic and political crises caused by the secession of South Sudan and the loss of oil revenue, alongside the uncontrolled expansion of a sprawling security apparatus. The civilian protesters called for--and expected--a total transformation of Sudanese politics, but they found themselves grappling with a still-dominant cabal of generals, who had powerful regional backers and a strong hold over the economy. Intern...

Sudan's Unfinished Democracy

This chapter interprets al-Bashir's downfall in the context of his decreasing ability to mana... more This chapter interprets al-Bashir's downfall in the context of his decreasing ability to manage Sudan's political marketplace. One of the core themes is the competition between the various security actors, including the Sudan Armed Forces, Rapid Support Forces, National Intelligence and Security Services, and Popular Defence Forces. The chapter analyses the buildup to the revolution through the framework of political economy, highlighting the significance of the shift from oil to gold as Sudan's principal export commodity in the wake of the secession of South Sudan in 2011 and its role in enabling the rise of Hemedti as the dominant actor in the political marketplace.

Somalia is a sad illustration of how Brexit is tangibly reducing British influence internationall... more Somalia is a sad illustration of how Brexit is tangibly reducing British influence internationally. The general rule of thumb for EU policy in Africa has been that it is determined one third by France, one third by the UK and one third by the rest. This gave the UK disproportionate influence. The UK has taken the lead on the European policy towards Somalia, making it the flagship of British policy in Africa. But its influence has depended heavily on the EU.

Rachel Ibreck and Alex de Waal argue that, despite the ongoing violence, South Sudan is not a law... more Rachel Ibreck and Alex de Waal argue that, despite the ongoing violence, South Sudan is not a lawless society and courts can contribute to ending the conflict.

the high prevalence of interstate rivalry and armed conflict (direct and by proxy), boundary disp... more the high prevalence of interstate rivalry and armed conflict (direct and by proxy), boundary disputes, and the regional organisations, especially the InterGovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) that are engaged in the region's peace and security challenges.

The World Peace Foundation, an operating foundation affiliated solely with the Fletcher School at... more The World Peace Foundation, an operating foundation affiliated solely with the Fletcher School at Tufts University, aims to provide intellectual leadership on issues of peace, justice and security. We believe that innovative research and teaching are critical to the challenges of making peace around the world, and should go hand-in-hand with advocacy and practical engagement with the toughest issues. To respond to organized violence today, we not only need new instruments and tools— we need a new vision of peace. Our challenge is to reinvent peace.

Newly updated and hugely expanded, this edition details Darfur's history in Sudan. It traces the ... more Newly updated and hugely expanded, this edition details Darfur's history in Sudan. It traces the origins, organization and ideology of the infamous Janjawiid and rebel groups, including the Sudan

Index on Censorship, 1995

The idea that international aid can deliver progress and prosperity has suffered severe setbacks ... more The idea that international aid can deliver progress and prosperity has suffered severe setbacks in Africa

New Political Economy, 2004

... Kalipeni Ezekiel, Susan Craddock, Joseph R. Oppong & Jayati Gosh (eds), HIV &... more ... Kalipeni Ezekiel, Susan Craddock, Joseph R. Oppong & Jayati Gosh (eds), HIV & AIDS in Africa: Beyond Epidemiology (Blackwell, 2004 ... Addis Ababa, July 2004); and Yigeremu Abebe, Ab Schaap, Girmatchew Mamo, Asheber Negussie, Birke Darimo, Dawit Wolday & Eduard J ...

The Lancet, 1993

In February, the Gaddafi government's violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrators in Libya... more In February, the Gaddafi government's violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrators in Libya left the country teetering on the brink of civil war. As opposition forces clash with government troops, the bullets fly and the bombs fall, thousands of men, women and children, and immigration workers are fleeing across the Libyan border.

IDS Bulletin, 2008

Introduction Across the hardest-hit countries of sub-Saharan Africa in particular, the HIV/AIDS e... more Introduction Across the hardest-hit countries of sub-Saharan Africa in particular, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is causing immense distress and impoverishment to children. Addressing the challenges of children and AIDS with the seriousness warranted has far-reaching

2. The key research finding is that most armed conflicts in Africa have a significant transnation... more 2. The key research finding is that most armed conflicts in Africa have a significant transnational element. This inverts the standard trope that the vast majority of African conflicts are internal and not inter-state. Country specialists focusing on individual conflicts have made this observation for years: what is new is that the Transnational Conflict in Africa (TCA) dataset shows for the first time that this is a general phenomenon. This allows for a comparative analysis of the extent, patterns and drivers of transnational conflict, which allows us to move beyond imprecise metaphors such as conflict ‘spillover’, into a more systematic representation of the phenomenon, that puts transnational political rivalries at the centre of the story of conflict in the continent.

In political systems that we identify as ‘violent political marketplaces’, policy priorities for ... more In political systems that we identify as ‘violent political marketplaces’, policy priorities for democracy activists and external actors include ending armed conflict, building governance institutions in a postconflict setting, reforming the security sector, and promoting democracy and/or justice. How can policymakers and activists formulate evidence-based theories of change to help guide them in the pursuit of these goals? This question is the focus of this memorandum.

This paper provides a succinct analysis of Sudan as a political marketplace. It assumes a working... more This paper provides a succinct analysis of Sudan as a political marketplace. It assumes a working knowledge of the basic principles of the political marketplace framework (PMF). It does not offer a policy recommendation, but rather a framework for analyzing the Sudanese predicament so as to understand the implications of different courses of action.

This book tells the story of the Sudanese revolution of 2019; of how it succeeded in bringing dow... more This book tells the story of the Sudanese revolution of 2019; of how it succeeded in bringing down the long-standing rule of President Omar al-Bashir; and of the troubled transitional civilian-led government that was installed in his place. It sets the scrupulously non-violent uprising in its historical context, showing how the protesters drew upon the precedents of earlier civic revolutions and adapted their practices to the challenges of the al-Bashir regime. The book also explores how that regime was brought to its knees through its inability to manage the intersecting economic and political crises caused by the secession of South Sudan and the loss of oil revenue, alongside the uncontrolled expansion of a sprawling security apparatus. The civilian protesters called for--and expected--a total transformation of Sudanese politics, but they found themselves grappling with a still-dominant cabal of generals, who had powerful regional backers and a strong hold over the economy. Intern...

Sudan's Unfinished Democracy

This chapter interprets al-Bashir's downfall in the context of his decreasing ability to mana... more This chapter interprets al-Bashir's downfall in the context of his decreasing ability to manage Sudan's political marketplace. One of the core themes is the competition between the various security actors, including the Sudan Armed Forces, Rapid Support Forces, National Intelligence and Security Services, and Popular Defence Forces. The chapter analyses the buildup to the revolution through the framework of political economy, highlighting the significance of the shift from oil to gold as Sudan's principal export commodity in the wake of the secession of South Sudan in 2011 and its role in enabling the rise of Hemedti as the dominant actor in the political marketplace.

Somalia is a sad illustration of how Brexit is tangibly reducing British influence internationall... more Somalia is a sad illustration of how Brexit is tangibly reducing British influence internationally. The general rule of thumb for EU policy in Africa has been that it is determined one third by France, one third by the UK and one third by the rest. This gave the UK disproportionate influence. The UK has taken the lead on the European policy towards Somalia, making it the flagship of British policy in Africa. But its influence has depended heavily on the EU.

Rachel Ibreck and Alex de Waal argue that, despite the ongoing violence, South Sudan is not a law... more Rachel Ibreck and Alex de Waal argue that, despite the ongoing violence, South Sudan is not a lawless society and courts can contribute to ending the conflict.

the high prevalence of interstate rivalry and armed conflict (direct and by proxy), boundary disp... more the high prevalence of interstate rivalry and armed conflict (direct and by proxy), boundary disputes, and the regional organisations, especially the InterGovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) that are engaged in the region's peace and security challenges.

The World Peace Foundation, an operating foundation affiliated solely with the Fletcher School at... more The World Peace Foundation, an operating foundation affiliated solely with the Fletcher School at Tufts University, aims to provide intellectual leadership on issues of peace, justice and security. We believe that innovative research and teaching are critical to the challenges of making peace around the world, and should go hand-in-hand with advocacy and practical engagement with the toughest issues. To respond to organized violence today, we not only need new instruments and tools— we need a new vision of peace. Our challenge is to reinvent peace.

Newly updated and hugely expanded, this edition details Darfur's history in Sudan. It traces the ... more Newly updated and hugely expanded, this edition details Darfur's history in Sudan. It traces the origins, organization and ideology of the infamous Janjawiid and rebel groups, including the Sudan

Index on Censorship, 1995

The idea that international aid can deliver progress and prosperity has suffered severe setbacks ... more The idea that international aid can deliver progress and prosperity has suffered severe setbacks in Africa

New Political Economy, 2004

... Kalipeni Ezekiel, Susan Craddock, Joseph R. Oppong & Jayati Gosh (eds), HIV &... more ... Kalipeni Ezekiel, Susan Craddock, Joseph R. Oppong & Jayati Gosh (eds), HIV & AIDS in Africa: Beyond Epidemiology (Blackwell, 2004 ... Addis Ababa, July 2004); and Yigeremu Abebe, Ab Schaap, Girmatchew Mamo, Asheber Negussie, Birke Darimo, Dawit Wolday & Eduard J ...

The Lancet, 1993

In February, the Gaddafi government's violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrators in Libya... more In February, the Gaddafi government's violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrators in Libya left the country teetering on the brink of civil war. As opposition forces clash with government troops, the bullets fly and the bombs fall, thousands of men, women and children, and immigration workers are fleeing across the Libyan border.

IDS Bulletin, 2008

Introduction Across the hardest-hit countries of sub-Saharan Africa in particular, the HIV/AIDS e... more Introduction Across the hardest-hit countries of sub-Saharan Africa in particular, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is causing immense distress and impoverishment to children. Addressing the challenges of children and AIDS with the seriousness warranted has far-reaching

2. The key research finding is that most armed conflicts in Africa have a significant transnation... more 2. The key research finding is that most armed conflicts in Africa have a significant transnational element. This inverts the standard trope that the vast majority of African conflicts are internal and not inter-state. Country specialists focusing on individual conflicts have made this observation for years: what is new is that the Transnational Conflict in Africa (TCA) dataset shows for the first time that this is a general phenomenon. This allows for a comparative analysis of the extent, patterns and drivers of transnational conflict, which allows us to move beyond imprecise metaphors such as conflict ‘spillover’, into a more systematic representation of the phenomenon, that puts transnational political rivalries at the centre of the story of conflict in the continent.

In political systems that we identify as ‘violent political marketplaces’, policy priorities for ... more In political systems that we identify as ‘violent political marketplaces’, policy priorities for democracy activists and external actors include ending armed conflict, building governance institutions in a postconflict setting, reforming the security sector, and promoting democracy and/or justice. How can policymakers and activists formulate evidence-based theories of change to help guide them in the pursuit of these goals? This question is the focus of this memorandum.

This paper provides a succinct analysis of Sudan as a political marketplace. It assumes a working... more This paper provides a succinct analysis of Sudan as a political marketplace. It assumes a working knowledge of the basic principles of the political marketplace framework (PMF). It does not offer a policy recommendation, but rather a framework for analyzing the Sudanese predicament so as to understand the implications of different courses of action.

Medical humanitarianism--medical and other health-related initiatives undertaken in conditions bo... more Medical humanitarianism--medical and other health-related initiatives undertaken in conditions born of conflict, neglect, or disaster --has a prominent and growing presence in international development, global health, and human security interventions. Medical Humanitarianism: Ethnographies of Practice features twelve essays that fold back the curtains on the individual experiences, institutional practices, and cultural forces that shape humanitarian practice.

Contributors offer vivid and often dramatic insights into the experiences of local humanitarian workers in the Afghan-Pakistan border areas, national doctors coping with influxes of foreign humanitarian volunteers in Haiti, military doctors working for the British Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, and human rights-oriented volunteers within the Israeli medical bureaucracy. They analyze our contested understanding of lethal violence in Darfur, food crises responses in Niger, humanitarian knowledge in Ugandan IDP camps, and humanitarian departures in Liberia. They depict the local dynamics of healthcare delivery work to alleviate human suffering in Somali areas of Ethiopia, the emergency metaphors of global health campaigns from Ghana to war-torn Sudan, the fraught negotiations of humanitarians with strong state institutions in Indonesia, and the ambiguous character of research ethics espoused by missions in Sierra Leone. In providing well-grounded case studies, Medical Humanitarianism will engage both scholars and practitioners working at the interface of humanitarian medicine, global health interventions, and the social sciences. They challenge the reader to reach a more critical and compassionate understanding of humanitarian assistance.

Contributors: Sharon Abramowitz, Tim Allen, Ilil Benjamin, Lauren Carruth, Mary Jo DelVecchio-Good, Alex de Waal, Byron J. Good, Stuart Gordon, Jesse Hession Grayman, Jean-Hervé Jézéquel, Peter Locke, Amy Moran-Thomas, Patricia Omidian, Catherine Panter-Brick, Peter Piot, Peter Redfield, Laura Wagner