Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025
Time: 14:00 – 15:30 BST
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
As Sudan’s civil war continues to reshape the country’s political geography, and South Sudan navigates the legacies of ethnonationalism and elite contestation, questions of power, identity, and governance are more urgent than ever.
This panel brought together the authors of two new XCEPT studies to explore how decentralisation and identity politics are transforming the political landscapes of Sudan and South Sudan. Dr Awet Weldemichael discussed his research on the relocation of Sudan’s state apparatus to Port Sudan, interrogating whether this shift represented genuine decentralisation or a reproduction of centre–periphery inequalities. Dr Nicki Kindersley, Amar Jamal, and Machot Amoum shared insights from their study on ethnonationalism in South Sudan, examining how elite mobilisation, access to resources and labour, and identity-based politics continue to shape the state’s legitimacy and future.
The event was held online via Microsoft Teams.
Speakers:
Dr Awet Weldemichael
Lecturer at Queen’s University, Canada, and expert on the Horn of Africa’s history and politics. His work offers deep insights into governance, conflict, and peacebuilding in Sudan, South Sudan, and neighbouring regions.
Dr Nicki Kindersley
Lecturer at Cardiff University and historian of South Sudan. Her research focuses on political education, migrant labour, and refugee histories, with collaborations across regional institutions including the University of Juba and the Rift Valley Institute.
Machot Amoum
South Sudanese research consultant with a focus on socio-economic and political issues. A graduate of St. Lawrence University Business School, he has worked with organisations including RVI and CSRF, and co-authored Peace is the Name of Our Cattle Camp (2018).
Discussant:
Amar Jamal
Managing Editor of Atar Magazine (Uganda), working in English and Arabic across media and research platforms. With over a decade in media across Sudan and South Sudan, he has published with RVI and Small Arms Survey. He holds a master’s in social anthropology from Cairo University and is a former Africa is a Country fellow.
Moderator:
Hannah Stogdon
Senior Research Manager for XCEPT, based in Nairobi, with nearly 20 years of experience across the Horn of Africa. She has held long-term postings in Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and Khartoum, and brings deep regional knowledge to her work on governance and peacebuilding. Her prior career includes leading roles with the Rift Valley Institute, the UN Mission in Sudan, the International Crisis Group, and Saferworld. Her work combines deep regional knowledge and a commitment to locally grounded research and policy engagement.