This research investigates whether or not the resource curse remains applicable when a state transitions from oil dependency to water dependency. In the context of Sudan, this thesis investigates...Show moreThis research investigates whether or not the resource curse remains applicable when a state transitions from oil dependency to water dependency. In the context of Sudan, this thesis investigates the strategic choices of the Salvation Regime during this transition from the '60s till the fall of the regime in '19. Results of this research indicate that (continued) strategic dependency on foreign powers and distributive efforts to capture the voting block domestically by the government strongly reflect on symptoms predicted by the resource curse model.Show less
This thesis seeks to answer the research question: What are the factors that changed and contributed to the success of the 2019 protests as opposed to the 2011 protests in Sudan? By juxtaposing the...Show moreThis thesis seeks to answer the research question: What are the factors that changed and contributed to the success of the 2019 protests as opposed to the 2011 protests in Sudan? By juxtaposing the two protests, this thesis aims to identify which aspects of social mobilization contributed to the success of the protests in 2019. The insights obtained about the success of these protests can serve to make predictions about other similar protests.Show less
Social Movements around the world have used various framing devices to spread information about their movements ethos and modus operandi. Significant devices that have been used include digital...Show moreSocial Movements around the world have used various framing devices to spread information about their movements ethos and modus operandi. Significant devices that have been used include digital technologies and creative activism. This paper analyses how digital technologies and creative activism combined together in digital art can serve as a successful framing device for social movements. To do so, it examines the digital art created by Sudanese artists during the Sudanese Resistance Movement of 2019. During this Revolution, the artworks were spread rapidly across the web. They served as a suitable device for the movement, as it was seen as a loophole through which artists and activists could convey political messages, without direct confrontation. Furthermore, the artworks served as vehicles to spread information about the ongoing situation in Sudan, especially when formal media platforms were lacking. And finally, the artworks generated a sense of solidarity and unity amongst the movements participants, through symbolic illustrations and adaptations of iconic images. Due to the characteristic of the artworks being digital, the information was being spread across social media. Consequently leading to more awareness on a domestic and transnational level by challenging the notions of political and social awakening in Sudan.Show less
Due to their geographic proximity, the Gulf and the Horn of Africa share a long history of economic, political and cultural ties. Recent years, however, have seen an unprecedented increase in the...Show moreDue to their geographic proximity, the Gulf and the Horn of Africa share a long history of economic, political and cultural ties. Recent years, however, have seen an unprecedented increase in the presence of Gulf actors in the Horn, accelerated by the Gulf-internal rivalry between Qatar on one side and the remaining members of the Gulf Cooperation Council on the other. With the help of the theoretical framework of Regional Security Complexes and the Spillover Effect, as well as process tracing methods, two country case studies examine how Gulf engagement, in particular the rivalry between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, further destabilizes an already fragile region: In Somalia, the tensions between core and periphery have been exacerbated as a result of Qatar backing the central government in Mogadishu and the UAE supporting the federal states. In Sudan, the complicated transition process is prolonged as a result of Gulf powers pursuing opposing agendas in the post-Bashir political environment.Show less
