Sudan's networks built to fight a tyrant now save lives in a war
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John Ashworth
Dec 4, 2025, 12:17:10 AM12/4/25
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Sudan’s protesters built networks to fight a tyrant – today they save
lives in a war
The Conversation
December 3, 2025
Lovise Aalen and Mai Azzam
Sudan has a long history of civilian-led resistance, with young people
playing a key role. For example, informal neighbourhood networks
established in 2013 to survive repression under three decades of
authoritarian rule have since transformed into vibrant support
systems.
These groups helped mobilise mass protests in 2018. They have provided
a lifeline for communities in the ongoing civil war, which started in
2023.
During the mass protests, youth-led networks organised political
sit-ins and demonstrations against the Islamist regime of Omar
al-Bashir. They were ultimately successful in overthrowing a 30-year
dictatorship.
We are researchers in the fields of anthropology and political
science, studying youth mobilisation in authoritarian states. In a
recent paper, we studied the emergence and role of Sudan’s
neighbourhood committees and informal networks. These became the
backbone of protests.
We found that young people built grassroots networks through
engagement in different forms of voluntarism and charity. They built
resistance structures under the repressive environment of the Islamist
regime. Later (around 2013 or so), these developed into neighbourhood
committees organising resistance underground.
And since the outbreak of war in April 2023, Emergency Response Rooms,
which are community-led networks, have been providing crucial
humanitarian relief.
African youth mobilisation is often seen as an outcome of tension
between an urban underclass and a repressive state. We argue that in
Sudan, a collaboration between different classes, including the middle
class, has been key in the fight against autocratic governance.
We found that the committees enabled protests. They played a vital
role in organising emergency responses during times of crises.
Building the resistance
Under the repressive policies of the al-Bashir regime, political
activities were not allowed in public spaces. Opposition was heavily
suppressed.
Despite this, young people found innovative ways to create political
spaces. Neighbourhood committees became sites of resistance, emerging
as a critical infrastructure for grassroots mobilisation.
The committees represent a unique blend of political and practical
action. They serve a dual functionality – mobilising for change while
addressing immediate community needs. This underscores the potential
of informal, decentralised networks to drive both political and social
transformation.
They were initially formed during the 2013 anti-austerity protests as
neighbourhoods’ underground cells. These committees were informal,
hyper-local networks of politically engaged youth.
Over time, they evolved into organised structures. They facilitated
protests, provided essential services and emergency responses during
crises. In the 2018 uprising, they coordinated logistics. They also
provided real-time updates through social media.
The committees also supported a sit-in at the military headquarters in
April 2019. This became a focal point of the uprising. This sit-in
presented a vibrant community space where youth experienced a sense of
political togetherness. It featured art exhibitions, public debates
and cultural performances, creating a shared vision of a better Sudan.
The civil war
The war between the army and a paramilitary group, the Rapid Support
Forces, has put more than 30 million people – about two-thirds of the
population – in need of humanitarian aid. This has created one of the
world’s worst humanitarian crises. Conflict and blockades have meant
international efforts to send aid hasn’t always been possible.
During the transitional period after al-Bashir’s exit and the 2023
war, the committees transformed into emergency response rooms. These
provided critical services, such as healthcare, food and water. These
rooms were run by the same youth networks that had led the protests.
They drew on their pre-war experiences of grassroots mobilisation and
humanitarian aid.
Amid a devastating civil war, they carry on the idea of political
togetherness. Bonds of trust, necessity and solidarity established
years ago have transcended ethnic or class divisions. They have
created civilian resilience against state repression.
Lessons in resilience
The committees’ ability to adapt to new challenges underscores the
importance of grassroots networks in both political and humanitarian
contexts.
The concept of political togetherness, as seen in Sudan, reveals how
temporary alliances across class, gender and ethnic divides can create
a cohesive force for change.
This has implications for understanding youth movements globally,
particularly where formal political spaces are inaccessible or
untrustworthy.
The adaptability of Sudan’s neighbourhood committees illustrates the
resilience of grassroots networks. By stepping into the void left by
state failure, these committees provide essential services and also
reinforce their legitimacy within their communities.
This suggests that such networks can serve as a foundation for future
governance models, especially in post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
However, our study also reveals risks associated with informal and
flexible structures.
The lack of formal governance mechanisms within these committees
leaves them vulnerable to co-optation, fragmentation and the erosion
of trust over time.
Without proper institutional support, the cohesion and effectiveness
of these networks may wane. This is especially when the crises or
transitions are prolonged.
What next?
In a post-war Sudan, both the Sudanese government and the
international community should aim to preserve the emergency response
rooms’ autonomy and grassroots nature. This should happen while
providing resources and institutional support to enhance their
capacity for community service and crisis response.
Activists within Sudan and similar contexts should continue to build
on the model of political togetherness. This means fostering inclusive
alliances that transcend traditional divides.
By prioritising both political mobilisation and community service,
these grassroots networks can maintain the momentum for change while
addressing immediate needs.
The humanitarian efforts that the Sudanese people invented are based
on previous experience in civil engagement. The current call for a
civilian government, which was also a demand by the protesters during
the 2018 uprisings, is rooted in political togetherness. It is also
linked to the long history of civilian governance practices at the
grassroots level.
https://theconversation.com/sudans-protesters-built-networks-to-fight-a-tyrant-today-they-save-lives-in-a-war-270176
END
______________________
John Ashworth
ashwor...@gmail.com
+254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile, WhatsApp and Signal)
PO Box 403 - 00206, Kiserian, Kenya
lives in a war
The Conversation
December 3, 2025
Lovise Aalen and Mai Azzam
Sudan has a long history of civilian-led resistance, with young people
playing a key role. For example, informal neighbourhood networks
established in 2013 to survive repression under three decades of
authoritarian rule have since transformed into vibrant support
systems.
These groups helped mobilise mass protests in 2018. They have provided
a lifeline for communities in the ongoing civil war, which started in
2023.
During the mass protests, youth-led networks organised political
sit-ins and demonstrations against the Islamist regime of Omar
al-Bashir. They were ultimately successful in overthrowing a 30-year
dictatorship.
We are researchers in the fields of anthropology and political
science, studying youth mobilisation in authoritarian states. In a
recent paper, we studied the emergence and role of Sudan’s
neighbourhood committees and informal networks. These became the
backbone of protests.
We found that young people built grassroots networks through
engagement in different forms of voluntarism and charity. They built
resistance structures under the repressive environment of the Islamist
regime. Later (around 2013 or so), these developed into neighbourhood
committees organising resistance underground.
And since the outbreak of war in April 2023, Emergency Response Rooms,
which are community-led networks, have been providing crucial
humanitarian relief.
African youth mobilisation is often seen as an outcome of tension
between an urban underclass and a repressive state. We argue that in
Sudan, a collaboration between different classes, including the middle
class, has been key in the fight against autocratic governance.
We found that the committees enabled protests. They played a vital
role in organising emergency responses during times of crises.
Building the resistance
Under the repressive policies of the al-Bashir regime, political
activities were not allowed in public spaces. Opposition was heavily
suppressed.
Despite this, young people found innovative ways to create political
spaces. Neighbourhood committees became sites of resistance, emerging
as a critical infrastructure for grassroots mobilisation.
The committees represent a unique blend of political and practical
action. They serve a dual functionality – mobilising for change while
addressing immediate community needs. This underscores the potential
of informal, decentralised networks to drive both political and social
transformation.
They were initially formed during the 2013 anti-austerity protests as
neighbourhoods’ underground cells. These committees were informal,
hyper-local networks of politically engaged youth.
Over time, they evolved into organised structures. They facilitated
protests, provided essential services and emergency responses during
crises. In the 2018 uprising, they coordinated logistics. They also
provided real-time updates through social media.
The committees also supported a sit-in at the military headquarters in
April 2019. This became a focal point of the uprising. This sit-in
presented a vibrant community space where youth experienced a sense of
political togetherness. It featured art exhibitions, public debates
and cultural performances, creating a shared vision of a better Sudan.
The civil war
The war between the army and a paramilitary group, the Rapid Support
Forces, has put more than 30 million people – about two-thirds of the
population – in need of humanitarian aid. This has created one of the
world’s worst humanitarian crises. Conflict and blockades have meant
international efforts to send aid hasn’t always been possible.
During the transitional period after al-Bashir’s exit and the 2023
war, the committees transformed into emergency response rooms. These
provided critical services, such as healthcare, food and water. These
rooms were run by the same youth networks that had led the protests.
They drew on their pre-war experiences of grassroots mobilisation and
humanitarian aid.
Amid a devastating civil war, they carry on the idea of political
togetherness. Bonds of trust, necessity and solidarity established
years ago have transcended ethnic or class divisions. They have
created civilian resilience against state repression.
Lessons in resilience
The committees’ ability to adapt to new challenges underscores the
importance of grassroots networks in both political and humanitarian
contexts.
The concept of political togetherness, as seen in Sudan, reveals how
temporary alliances across class, gender and ethnic divides can create
a cohesive force for change.
This has implications for understanding youth movements globally,
particularly where formal political spaces are inaccessible or
untrustworthy.
The adaptability of Sudan’s neighbourhood committees illustrates the
resilience of grassroots networks. By stepping into the void left by
state failure, these committees provide essential services and also
reinforce their legitimacy within their communities.
This suggests that such networks can serve as a foundation for future
governance models, especially in post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
However, our study also reveals risks associated with informal and
flexible structures.
The lack of formal governance mechanisms within these committees
leaves them vulnerable to co-optation, fragmentation and the erosion
of trust over time.
Without proper institutional support, the cohesion and effectiveness
of these networks may wane. This is especially when the crises or
transitions are prolonged.
What next?
In a post-war Sudan, both the Sudanese government and the
international community should aim to preserve the emergency response
rooms’ autonomy and grassroots nature. This should happen while
providing resources and institutional support to enhance their
capacity for community service and crisis response.
Activists within Sudan and similar contexts should continue to build
on the model of political togetherness. This means fostering inclusive
alliances that transcend traditional divides.
By prioritising both political mobilisation and community service,
these grassroots networks can maintain the momentum for change while
addressing immediate needs.
The humanitarian efforts that the Sudanese people invented are based
on previous experience in civil engagement. The current call for a
civilian government, which was also a demand by the protesters during
the 2018 uprisings, is rooted in political togetherness. It is also
linked to the long history of civilian governance practices at the
grassroots level.
https://theconversation.com/sudans-protesters-built-networks-to-fight-a-tyrant-today-they-save-lives-in-a-war-270176
END
______________________
John Ashworth
ashwor...@gmail.com
+254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile, WhatsApp and Signal)
PO Box 403 - 00206, Kiserian, Kenya
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