In 'Resistance in Memory,' Sudanese Photographers Bring Critical Visibility to a 'Forgotten War'

In 2019, a revolution fueled by deep-seated discontent precipitated a coup to remove then-president of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir. Then in 2021, the military led another coup to take control of the government. In April 2023, all-out civil war erupted between rival military groups who sought to control the government: the country’s armed forces and a paramilitary group called Rapid Support Forces (RSF). All results of decades of tensions, the evolving and disastrous struggle continues today.

The conflict has also led to a terrific humanitarian crisis. Despite mounting casualties, millions living in famine regions, and nearly a third of the country’s population displaced from their homes, international media focus has predominantly been elsewhere. In his article for TIME, showcasing the photographs of Moises Saman, Charlie Campbell calls the crisis a “forgotten war.”

a photo by Altayeb Morhal of a young child seated alone amid a seat of bright pink-covered chairs Altayeb Morhal, “Absent Presence” (2022)

Photographers are our eyes on the ground in Sudan, providing glimpses of the realities of war, displacement, hunger—and hope—in this war-torn nation. Information is tightly controlled and the press heavily censored, which translates to very little insight into events. But images give the crisis much-needed visibility. With this in mind, The Africa Center brings together the work of 12 emerging, independent Sudanese photographers in the group exhibition Resistance in Memory: Visions of Sudan.

Reflections of compassion, love, joy, and humanity ring through the show’s 42 poignant photos, which range from black-and-white landscapes to documentary imagery to portraits. Six of the 12 artists included in the show still reside in the country, sharing personal experiences and observations throughout the last few years.

A statement says, “Resistance in Memory: Visions of Sudan examines the memory of an ever-changing Sudan and the strength and resilience of its people who refuse to be forgotten or defined by those beyond its borders.”

The exhibition continues through March 22 in New York City. Find more on The Africa Center’s website.

a photo by Mohamed Zakaria of two men wearing robes and turbans, shaking hands Mohamed Zakaria, “The Handshake” (2022)

a black-and-white photo by Mohamed Abuagla of plastic chairs arranged in a circle on a sidewalk, but no people around Mohamed Abuagla, “They Were Here” (2023)

a portrait photo by Abdelsalam Abd Allah of a woman with a scarf around her head and her hands near her face as she looks down Abdelsalam Abd Allah, “The Only Water Source” (2024)

a black-and-white photograph by Mawran Mohamed of three children playing Marwan Mohamed, “Premature Caretaking” (2023)

a photograph by Jood Elshiek of a woman sitting on a cot outside of a small stone home, lit up at night Jood Elsheikh, “Tata” (2023), from the ‘War and Peace Series’

a black-and-white photo by Fakhr Aldein of conical landforms in the desert Fakhr Aldein, detail of “New Landscapes” (2023)

a photograph by Shaima Merghani of a young Sudanese woman standing near a window and holding two pink balloons Shaima Merghani, “Holding Onto Dreams” (2024)

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In ‘Resistance in Memory,’ Sudanese Photographers Bring Critical Visibility to a ‘Forgotten War’ — Colossal

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