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Check FAQAbout Joshua
I am a writer. Recent subjects have included a short story about a hunt for unique gestures amid the sad repetitions of stock photography, an essay about money and migration in Juba, South Sudan, and a grammar of redacted documents. Currently, I am a 2014 UNESCO Laureate Artist in Creative Writing. I just finished a residency at the Dar Al-Ma'mûn, in Marrakech, Morocco. I am a Collegiate Assistant Professor and Harper-Schmidt Fellow at the University of Chicago. I was educated at the University of Oxford, l'EHESS-Paris, the University of Amsterdam, and the University of California, Berkeley; I have a Ph.D. in socio-cultural anthropology from the latter institution. I have lived in Britain, Cambodia, Egypt, France, the Netherlands, Kenya, America, and South Sudan. I've taught political philosophy at Sciences-Po Paris, and anthropology at Berkeley, and in San Quentin State Prison, California. I have a book under contract with the British publishers Hurst & Co., provisionally entitled Line Language: On the Borders of the Middle East, and am working on my first novel, Redacted Mind. I am also a researcher on South Sudan with Small Arms Survey, the nonfiction editor of Asymptote, a journal of literature in translation, and a fellow at the The Nation Institute's Investigative Fund. My work has been published in the British Guardian, the Washington Monthly, and Onsite Review, amongst others places. You can reach me by email at my first name, followed by a dot, and then my second name, and then @gmail.com.
Fact Checking
Portfolio
Only You Can Save Darfur
Darfur is experiencing severe conflict as fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to mass displacement and violence. The RSF's attack on El Geneina in mid-May resulted in significant casualties and destruction, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Shootings in Khartoum
On April 15, clashes began in Khartoum, Sudan's capital, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary forces of his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as 'Hemedti.' Initially, Hemedti's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seemed to have the upper hand, but SAF's superior firepower eventually repelled them. The conflict stems from tensions over the integration of the RSF into the army and the political process following the December 2022 Framework Agreement, which aimed to transition to civilian-led governance. The article traces the historical roots of Sudan's conflicts, the economic empires built by military and paramilitary forces, and the political maneuvers leading up to the current clashes. The outcome of this conflict, occurring in the urban centers of Khartoum, marks a departure from previous civil wars fought in the peripheries and challenges Sudan's centralist elitism.
Death by Peace: How South Sudan’s Peace Agreement Ate the Grassroots
The peace agreement in South Sudan, signed in 2018, has not led to a flourishing nation but has instead undermined grassroots institutions and intensified violence in many regions. The power-sharing arrangement has created a centralized regime in Juba, which appoints officials at all levels and has fractured opposition forces. The agreement has led to a centralized fragmentation, where power is held by a wealthy class in Juba, while violence is used as a tool of population management elsewhere. The humanitarian sector sustains the population, but also contributes to the government's control. The peace agreement has created a durable form of disorder, with the state withdrawing from service provision and relying on violent resource extraction. The real opposition in South Sudan is not represented in the peace agreement and consists of ethnically organized defense forces and a class of young men and women marginalized by the current political economy. Diplomats in Juba acknowledge the peace agreement's failure but lack the imagination and political will to seek alternatives.
Darfur: The New Massacres
The article discusses the ongoing conflict in Darfur, highlighting the resurgence of violence between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rebranded version of the Janjaweed militias. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties, particularly among the Masalit community, and has displaced thousands to Chad. The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has been accused of ethnic violence and looting, while the SAF has been criticized for failing to protect civilians. The article also explores the historical context of the conflict, including the role of former President Omar al-Bashir and the complex dynamics between various ethnic and political groups in Sudan.
Playing Angry Birds with General Johnson Olonyi
General Johnson Olonyi, a prominent South Sudanese rebel leader, navigates a complex political landscape marked by betrayal, manipulation, and ongoing conflict. Despite peace agreements, violence persists as the government leverages rebel commanders for political gain. Olonyi's journey from a defender of the Shilluk people to a government-aligned figure highlights the intricate dynamics of power and loyalty in South Sudan. The article underscores the challenges of achieving lasting peace in a nation where military strength often dictates political influence.
Combined and Uneven Catastrophe
The article discusses the intensification of violence in the West Bank and Gaza, highlighting the Israeli military's actions and the role of armed settlers. It features an interview with Kareem Rabie, who provides insights into the political and economic dynamics in the West Bank, the relationship between settlers and the Israeli state, and the broader context of Israeli colonization. The piece also explores the Palestinian Authority's role, the impact of neoliberal policies, and the potential future of Palestinian resistance and governance.
Manhiem’s Mission: Power and Violence in Warrap State
Warrap state in South Sudan, the birthplace of President Salva Kiir, is experiencing heightened tensions due to ineffective governance by Governor Manhiem Bol Malek and the influence of Akol Koor Kuc. The upcoming 2024 elections pose a significant risk of violence due to the concentration of political power and minimal civic space. The report by the Small Arms Survey's HSBA project highlights the challenges and potential for conflict in the region.
Jemma’s War: Political Strife in Western Equatoria
Since 2021, Western Equatoria in South Sudan has experienced increasing ethnic tension between the Azande and Balanda, exacerbated by political strife between Jemma Nunu Kumba, the speaker of South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly, and Alfred Futuyo Karaba, the opposition-party governor of Western Equatoria. Armed troops from both government forces and SPLA-IO patrol the state capital, Yambio, as state politicians prepare for potential conflict ahead of the 2024 elections. The report, funded by the United States Department of State, highlights the risk of violent conflict due to these dynamics.
Pay Day Loans and Backroom Empires: South Sudan’s Political Economy since 2018
South Sudan, under President Salva Kiir's regime, faces a continuing crisis with conflict and climatic shocks leading to widespread reliance on humanitarian assistance. The regime sustains itself by diverting oil production revenues, humanitarian aid, and international loans to an elite class in Juba, resulting in the impoverishment of the South Sudanese people.
Pay Day Loans and Backroom Empires: South Sudan’s Political Economy since 2018
South Sudan remains in crisis with ongoing conflict and resource scarcity, leaving a majority reliant on humanitarian aid. The regime of President Salva Kiir is criticized for diverting revenues from oil, humanitarian aid, and international loans to benefit an elite class in Juba, exacerbating the population's suffering. The Small Arms Survey's briefing paper highlights a shift in the political economy from wage-based rewards to a system of favor dispensations.
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