FOR SUDAN: A blog for Sudan

Here is a series of videos I took over this past summer: "Driving in Khartoum". 

Read this!!!

So is this a move in the right direction? Absolutely!

However, the "international community" i.e. the US has been focusing too much of its effort to help "resolve" this conflict on its military aspect. I see it like this, the security and humanitarian situations are the side effects of the real issues of politics, economics and the environment. The United States should however be commended on its efforts on the humanitarian front. I it is the biggest donor to the affected persons in Darfur. This conflict can only be resolved if the the international community puts equal and tangible pressure on both the government and the rebels.


Without regionally (or even internationally) mediated peace talks that are meant to resolve the roots of this conflict, all the efforts taken on the security and humanitarian fronts will have been wasted. It is imperative that the African Union play a pivotal role in these talks. So much is said by so many African leaders that "Africa's problems should be solved by Africans." Well, it is time for Africa and Africans to step up.

Hopefully, we will witness more positive developments on this issue.

So I've been in Khartoum for about three weeks now, and I forgot what the sky is supposed to look like. It is absolutely crazy, this time of year, the sky is literally a light brown/yellowish color. Sometimes, there is so much dust that one can literally stare at the sun, without feeling any discomfort, as if it were the moon. It is somewhat depressing. This, along with the 45° (c)/114° (f) average temperature is not a very good combination. You would think that the dust blocking the sun would cool things down, no luck.

A relative of mine said that "Sudan is not suitable for human life," something that was funny and is kind of true. I understand that there are places that are as hot and dusty, but Sudan is pretty bad. However, it is still Sudan to me and with all its shortcomings, it is my favorite place to be. I don't know what it is, but I think if you ask any Sudanese ex-pat, they would prefer Sudan over where they've decided to live. They might find comfort and better services in the country they live in, but there is something about one's home that can not be explained.


Thankfully, most other parts of the year are less dusty (and sometimes less hot).