Professor Mohamed H. A. Hassan

On April 15th, 2023, a violent war erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, resulting in the displacement of nearly 13 million people, including internally displaced people (IDPs), asylum seekers and refugees (UNCHR). This conflict exacerbated many of Sudan’s existing challenges, including ongoing conflicts, disease outbreaks, infrastructure destruction, economic and political instability and climate emergencies. In an article, published by Nature in 2023 and entitled “Sudan’s disastrous war — and the science it is imperilling” Professor Mohamed H. A. Hassan, president of the Sudanese National Academy of Sciences, discusses this war’s devastating effects on the country’s academic and scientific infrastructure. The piece outlines the destruction, looting, burning, or closure of more than 100 universities and colleges, including the historic University of Khartoum, posing a serious threat to Sudan’s educational and scientific legacy. To read this article, please go here.