Alfredo Langa published a new academic paper

Alfredo Langa published a new academic paper titled “Food Insecurity, Dependency, Islamist Elites in Sudan: The Genesis of the ‘Sudanese Disease’ as a Syndrome of Wealth and War (1989–2011)”. You can access here: https://doi.org/10.1177/00219096241270649

Here an abstract_

The Political and Economic Evolution of Sudan (1989–2011)

Sudan has faced decades of conflict, economic dependence, and political instability. This analysis focuses on the period from Omar al-Bashir’s rise to power in 1989 to the independence of South Sudan in 2011, examining how Islamist elites shaped Sudan’s political and economic trajectory. The country’s extractive economy and structural dependency on foreign trade, particularly in cotton and oil exports, contributed to its economic vulnerability. Economic policies under the National Islamic Front (NIF) deepened inequality and dependency on Gulf economies, while food insecurity worsened due to governance failures and elite-driven neoliberal policies.

The emergence of neoliberal Islamism under Bashir and his advisor Hassan al-Turabi restructured Sudan’s governance. The regime consolidated power through repressive measures, including dissolving political parties, restricting media, and creating a police state that suppressed opposition. The Popular Defence Forces (PDFs) played a key role in militarizing society, enforcing Islamist policies, and suppressing dissent. At the international level, Sudan became a hub for Islamist movements, further straining diplomatic relations and leading to U.S. sanctions in 1997. Meanwhile, economic policies promoted privatization and structural adjustments, benefiting elites while exacerbating poverty and dependency.

By the late 1990s, Sudan’s economic strategy shifted towards oil production, intensifying foreign involvement and geopolitical tensions. However, internal power struggles led to the split between Bashir and Turabi in 1999, marking a turning point in Sudan’s Islamist politics. The period from 1999 to 2011 was characterized by oil-driven economic expansion, continued authoritarianism, and escalating conflict in Darfur. These dynamics culminated in the secession of South Sudan in 2011, reshaping the region’s political and economic landscape. Ultimately, Sudan’s trajectory highlights how elite power struggles, economic dependency, and governance failures contributed to prolonged instability and humanitarian crises.