Aisha Musa, former leader: Can Sudan rebuild?

About this episode

Aisha Musa discusses the challenges of rebuilding Sudan after the civil war and her experiences in a historically significant political role.

“I feel numb. It feels unreal to me, having been in Sudan all my life. I have never imagined that it will turn into a war field, it looks like a nightmare. At first that it is just days or months or even a year, but it went on and it kept escalating. Even our homes are no longer habitable. One of my sons went back to have a look and he said you wouldn't even find a spoon for your tea.” James Copnall speaks to Aisha Musa, one of the civilian figures who helped lead Sudan after the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir in 2019. After popular protests led to Bashir’s fall, Sudan’s presidency was replaced by a Sovereign Council made up of military and civilian representatives. Aisha Musa was one of only two women appointed to the body, an unprecedented position of influence for a woman in Sudan. But hopes of democratic change collapsed with the outbreak of civil war in 2023 between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Aisha reflects on working alongside the generals responsible for Sudan’s civil war, what it would take to rebuild democracy and her frustration at UK visa restrictions for Sudanese refugees. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world…

People in this episode

Host: James Copnall

Guest: Aisha Musa

Topics covered

• Sudan
• civil war
• democracy
• refugees
• political leadership
• women in politics

Keywords

• Sudan
• Aisha Musa
• civil war
• democracy
• Omar al-Bashir
• women in leadership
• UK visa restrictions

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC World Service, Sovereign Council, Rapid Support Forces

Places: Sudan, UK

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