Sudan: Extractivism, Counter-Revolution and the Struggle for Freedom

ABOUT THIS EPISODEThis podcast episode is an interview led by WesSmellGas with researcher and activist Sara Abbas. It offers an account of the situation in Sudan, before, during and after the 2018-2019 uprising. In the aftermath of the escalation of violence in El Fasher in late 2025, thousands of people in Sudan have been subjected to mass killing and forced displacement, in addition to sexual violence. To many of the people who took part in the recent uprisings, this is nothing less than a counter-revolutionary war aimed to further racial capitalist interests and suppress people's freedom dreams. This episide not only focuses on the recent violence and destruction which affects the broader region, but also amplifies the resistance of people in Sudan, past and present.SPEAKERSSara Abbas is a researcher of gender, the state, and social movements, with a focus on Sudan. Since April 2023, she has focused on supporting feminist groups and mutual aid networks to resource themselves in their fight against the war and for the survival of their communities. Her writing on Sudan over the past years includes a contribution to "Diversity on Common Ground: Ten Perspectives on Modern Feminism", and the essay "The Weight of Feelings: Khartoum's Revolutionary Movement". Sara is a fellow of Decolonize Now! working on a project documenting feminist narratives against the war, and how they generate, sustain, and renew themselves in the face of catastrophic sexual violence and genocide.MUSICSurrender سلم مفاتيح البلد – Zoozitaزوزيتا (here) - (here) لونها لون تاجا- سمرة افريقيةسودان بدون كيزان Sudan Bidon-Kizan – A.G. (here)Ahal Al Amar – Esaam Satti X Ali Naseraldeen (here)ليلك جنّ – Sulaf Elyas سلاف الياس (here) ثورة وعي من أجمل الأغاني الثورية السودانيةRESOURCESThe Weight of Feelings: Khartoum's Revolutionary MovementWar in Sudan and Women's Resistance (Podcast)In Sudan, the Revolution Is Caught in the CrossfireThe Sudanese Revolution’s Second ActAll related resources and much more can be found on the Resource Library. This is a digital multi-media library to share resources on energy, extractivism, imperialism and collective liberation.