Code Switch Gaza commanded our attention. Why hasn't Sudan?
Apr 15, 2026
They compare why some wars grab U.S. attention while others fade. They unpack Sudan’s 2023 civil war, reporting risks, and the rise of militias from Darfur to today. Experts examine racism, politics, and past activism’s limits. The conversation centers on what different kinds of attention actually accomplish for civilians.
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U.S. Recognition Didn't Produce Public Momentum
- Sudan's current violence was labeled genocide by the U.S. in January 2025 but produced little sustained public or policy reaction in the U.S.
- Listener Ajay Nelson contrasted intense debate over Gaza genocide claims with relative silence about Sudan's recognized atrocities.
Journalist Stuck In Khartoum As War Began
- Isma'il Kushkush moved to Khartoum, fell in love with the city, and documented the April 2023 outbreak from his apartment as bullets and jets surrounded him.
- He recorded videos, lost electricity and water, and was trapped nine days before fleeing, illustrating how journalists were displaced.
Press Crackdown And Danger Cut Coverage
- Sudan ranks near the bottom on press freedom, so international reporting is sparse and often episodic.
- Reporters flew in from regional hubs while local journalists were displaced, reducing sustained coverage and nuanced context.