Fownhope’s Heart of Oak Society traces its roots to the age of friendly societies, when communities provided their own safety net. Its anniversary celebrations reveal a tradition still very much alive, says MARK SEDDON
SINCE he took power in a military coup back in 1989, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir has ruled Sudan with a combination of corruption and repression.
Up to now, he has fended off armed rebellions, massive labour and other protests, and international attempts to prosecute him for genocide and other horrific crimes.
The Trump administration had helped him out in 2017 by ending sanctions on his regime, and he had allies in the region: Sudanese troops (including child soldiers) have been participating in the Saudi-led, US-supported rape of Yemen.
MAISSON HASSAN highlights how amid bombed-out cities and collapsing hospitals, women-led initiatives are keeping communities alive
The spectre of ethnic cleansing looms over hundreds of thousands trapped without food, water, or medicines in the North Darfur state’s besieged capital, El Fasher, writes PAVAN KULKARNI


